PSNI appeal over loyalist murder

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Police investigating the death of ex-UDA leader Jim Gray have issued an appeal for information on the first anniversary of his murder.

The 47-year-old was shot outside his father's home at Knockwood Park in the Clarawood estate in east Belfast.

Seven people have been arrested in connection with the murder, but no-one has been charged.

Police want to speak to anyone who was in the area between 1945 BST and 2015 BST on 4 October last year.

They also appealed for information about a vehicle they believe was used by the killers to flee the scene.

The car - a blue Vauxhall Astra with the registration MBZ 2522 - was found abandoned and badly damaged by fire a short time after the killing in Geary Road in Belfast.

Detectives said they wanted to hear from anyone who saw the vehicle being abandoned or anyone who saw it being driven between Knockwood Park and Geary Road.

They have also appealed for anyone who knew of the car's movements in the week before the murder to contact them.

The 47-year-old had been living in the house with his father since being freed on bail on money laundering charges.

Gray was expelled from the UDA leadership in March 2005.

The police have refused to comment on claims that he was given some police protection at the house in Knockwood Park after being freed on bail.

Cash

In April, just over a week after being expelled from the UDA leadership, he was stopped by police near Banbridge, County Down.

He was travelling in a car towards the Irish border, and police suspected he was trying to leave the country.

The police found a bank draft for 10,000 euro and nearly £3,000 in cash in his car.

Gray claimed the money had come from the sale of two pubs in east Belfast.

Jim Gray as expelled from the UDA leadership in March 2005

However, police believed it was obtained through crime including extortion and drug dealing.

He was charged with money laundering and possessing the proceeds of crime and was remanded in custody.

As the police investigation continued, detectives seized more than 100,000 documents and raided council offices, planning offices and premises used by solicitors, estate agents and accountants.

Gray had a reputation for dressing flamboyantly and wearing heavy gold jewellery.

This earned him a number of derisory nicknames including 'Doris Day' and the 'Brigadier of Bling'.