Witness 'telling a pack of lies'

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A murder trial has heard a claim that the chief prosecution witness "is telling a pack of lies to save his own skin".

Mark Burcombe, 28, was giving evidence at the trial of Steven Leslie Brown, 28, also known as Stephen Revels, of Castle Place in Castlecaulfield.

Mr Brown denies murdering Portadown teenagers Andrew Robb and David McIlwaine in February 2000.

The teenagers were found stabbed to death on a country road near Tandragee.

Earlier this year, Burcombe pleaded guilty to a reduced charge after agreeing to turn Queen's evidence.

Evidence

Burcombe, who on Tuesday, admitted he was a supporter but denied being a member of the UVF, was giving evidence for the third day at Belfast Crown Court.

He claims he was present when the victims were allegedly murdered by Mr Brown, and Noel Dillon who died in 2005.

Defence barrister John McCrudden accused Burcombe of "blackening" Mr Brown's name by "telling a pack of lies" about the events leading to the murders of Andrew, 19, and David, 18.

Mr McCrudden asked the witness "did you hold him (David) down for your UVF friends?" to which Burcombe replied: "No, no way."

The barrister also claimed Burcombe was lying about Mr Brown's involvement because "you are trying to save your own skin". The witness answered: "That's not true."

Burcombe told the trial that while he did not see Andrew being murdered, he was around five feet from David when he was allegedly attacked by Mr Brown and Mr Dillon.

When asked by the barrister why he had not stopped the attack, Burcombe said: "Because I saw the knife and I was shocked at seeing the knife".

Burcombe told the court that when the three of them got back to Mr Brown's house, Mr Dillon went for a bath while the accused left for a period, saying he was going back to the murder scene.

After the witness told the court he was terrified by what he had seen, he was asked by the defence barrister why he did not just "walk out the door" of Mr Brown's house.

Burcombe replied that he was "in fear of my life, I was scared. I was shocked about what had taken place".

Burcombe went to the police in November 2005 when he gave police an account of what happened.

On Wednesday, he admitted leaving details out of his account three years ago, compared to the evidence he is now giving in court.

He has also denied that he is acting under instructions from the UVF.

The trial continues.