Two jailed over 'ruthless' murder

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Two men have been jailed for seven years each for their involvement in a loyalist murder three years ago.

A judge said the killing of Darren Thompson was "ruthlessly executed". The 22-year-old was shot in the head as he walked to work in Londonderry.

James Edward Taylor, 42, pleaded guilty to assisting the killer by removing the murder weapon from the scene.

Richard Harkness, 29, admitted having a car in suspicious circumstances on the day of the killing.

The judge told Belfast Crown Court that Mr Thompson was a "completely innocent" victim.

'Terrorist context'

"When a person is convicted or pleads guilty in this terrorist context and it is undisputed that he behaved actively and willingly, the court should pass an appropriately deterrent sentence," he said.

Mr Thompson's parents Gilbert and Margaret said they were disappointed the pair had not been convicted of murder Harkness, from Baranailt Road in Claudy, and Taylor from Lincoln Court in Derry, had both originally been charged with murder

Mr Thompson had been walking along Woodburn Park on his way to work at Altnagelvin Hospital at about 0730 on 29 September when he was shot once in the head.

The killing was believed to be part of a feud between the UDA and UVF.

The judge said the shooting "bore all the hallmarks of a chillingly planned and ruthlessly executed murder".

The judge said that Taylor "played an important role knowing or believing murder had been committed".

He told Harkness: "It is an extremely serious offence, whether or not you knew the exact terrorist purpose."

Speaking outside the court after the hearing, Mr Thompson's parents, Gilbert and Margaret, said they were disappointed the pair had not been convicted of murder.

They added that "justice has been done today anyway".

Describing their son as a "happy person who was full of life," they said neither Harkness nor Taylor had shown "any remorse whatsoever... but they have the big man up above to answer to".