Stone Case Ends

Judgement has been reserved after the final day of evidence in the trial of loyalist killer Michael Stone.

Mr Justice Deeney said he would return his verdict on the three-week trial "as soon as I can" after he heard closing speeches from defence and prosecution lawyers.

Stone, 53, denies attempting to murder Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams at Stormont in November 2006 when his 'assault' on the building was caught on TV and shown across the world.

Stone also faces 12 other charges.

Making his closing speech prosecution Council, Gary McCrudden argued that Stone had built various bombs, "equipped himself with deadly weapons" and launched the attack "as part of a pre-planned mission with the intention of murdering" the Sinn Fein leadership.

Defence QC Orlando Pownall counter-claimed it was "preposterous" that Stone was intent on killing.

He said Stone's claims in the press and during police interview that he was going to "slit their throats" was nothing but "boastful bravado - bigging it up" and that "in any event, the prosecution have not proved that the steps that he had taken were anything more than preparatory".

Mr Justice Deeney told Belfast Crown Court that he wanted to consider all the evidence again and re-examine the various exhibits.

(BMcC)