Leading loyalist denies charges

A leading loyalist has denied having a handgun and 30 bullets with intent to endanger life.

The north Belfast leader of the Ulster Defence Association, Andre Shoukri, appeared before Belfast Crown Court on Friday.

The 25-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charges of possessing the Walther pistol and 30 bullets with intent to endanger life and without a certificate.

It is alleged that Mr Shoukri, from Sunningdale Gardens in Belfast, was caught with the gun when police stopped a car he was in as it was leaving the Rathcoole estate in north Belfast on 21 September last year.

At previous court appearances, a Crown lawyer said that as the accused was getting out of the car, a sock and a single bullet fell from his person.

Inside the sock, police allegedly found the gun and the rest of the ammunition.

Lord Justice McCollum released Mr Shoukri on bail until his trial which may take place near the end of June.