Fight breaks out at murder trial

Police reinforcements were called to the courthouse

Fighting has broken out in Belfast Crown Court at the trial of a County Armagh man accused of murdering a loyalist drug dealer.

Jim Johnston, 45, a member of the loyalist Red Hand Commando, was shot dead outside his home at Crawfordsburn, County Down, in May 2003.

Police had to separate supporters of the accused and Johnston's family.

Robert Young, 41, from Ulsterville Park in Portadown, denies murder. The judgement was deferred after the fight.

Mr Young was remanded in custody.

The fracas happened outside the courtroom when supporters of the accused confronted members of Johnston's family.

Supporters of the accused were ordered off the premises

It was feared at one stage that someone would be thrown from the fourth-floor balcony.

Punches were thrown and some supporters of Mr Young shouted: "Up the LVF."

They were ordered off the premises and waited outside.

About 40 police officers stood outside the court afterwards to prevent further trouble. No arrests were made.

The accused's sister, Lorraine Young, 39, of Church Hill in Holywood, County Down, also faced charges of providing him with a false alibi, which she denied.

A second woman, Susan Ferguson, 36, from West Link in Holywood, denies three counts of possessing firearms.

Both women were granted bail.