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| Trial hears of hostages' ordeal | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Northern Bank robbery trial has heard statements from the mother and brother of the accused, Chris Ward. | The Northern Bank robbery trial has heard statements from the mother and brother of the accused, Chris Ward. |
| They described the night three men arrived and held them hostage prior to the £26m heist. | They described the night three men arrived and held them hostage prior to the £26m heist. |
| Both statements described how Rose and Gerard Ward came downstairs to find three men surrounding Chris Ward. | Both statements described how Rose and Gerard Ward came downstairs to find three men surrounding Chris Ward. |
| They said they were told that as long as they co-operated, nobody would be hurt, but the men claimed they wouldn't hesitate in shooting somebody. | They said they were told that as long as they co-operated, nobody would be hurt, but the men claimed they wouldn't hesitate in shooting somebody. |
| Mr Ward, of Colinmill, Poleglass, denies taking part in the robbery at the Northern Bank's Belfast headquarters in December 2004. | Mr Ward, of Colinmill, Poleglass, denies taking part in the robbery at the Northern Bank's Belfast headquarters in December 2004. |
| All the men were described as wearing baseball caps with fleece jackets pulled up to cover their faces. | All the men were described as wearing baseball caps with fleece jackets pulled up to cover their faces. |
| When one man took Chris Ward away, his mother asked if he would lose his job. | When one man took Chris Ward away, his mother asked if he would lose his job. |
| 'No, what he is doing is under duress and he should not not lose his job," said one of the other men. | 'No, what he is doing is under duress and he should not not lose his job," said one of the other men. |
| Chris Ward is said to have told his family to stay calm and that everything would be fine. | Chris Ward is said to have told his family to stay calm and that everything would be fine. |
| The following day, the men thoroughly cleaned the house. They told the family to tell the police that they had cleaned the house and would be taking the mop with them. | The following day, the men thoroughly cleaned the house. They told the family to tell the police that they had cleaned the house and would be taking the mop with them. |
| That night at 1030 GMT, Chris Ward returned with his boss from the bank. | That night at 1030 GMT, Chris Ward returned with his boss from the bank. |
| The men left and gave directions as to when the police should be called. | The men left and gave directions as to when the police should be called. |