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Shoukri jailed for bar extortion Shoukri jailed for bar extortion
(about 4 hours later)
Prominent north Belfast loyalist Andre Shoukri has been sentenced to nine years jail for trying to extort thousands of pounds from a pub owner.Prominent north Belfast loyalist Andre Shoukri has been sentenced to nine years jail for trying to extort thousands of pounds from a pub owner.
He was jailed on 18 charges including blackmail, intimidation and acquiring and using criminal property.He was jailed on 18 charges including blackmail, intimidation and acquiring and using criminal property.
Belfast Crown Court heard he used his Ulster Defence Association status to force his victim to hand over cash.Belfast Crown Court heard he used his Ulster Defence Association status to force his victim to hand over cash.
"Shoukri was very aggressive and angry and demanded money be paid to him then and there - it was," prosecution said."Shoukri was very aggressive and angry and demanded money be paid to him then and there - it was," prosecution said.
Prosecuting barrister Gordon Kerr said the notorious paramilitary had become more and more aggressive, constantly making demands and accusing his victim of holding money back.Prosecuting barrister Gordon Kerr said the notorious paramilitary had become more and more aggressive, constantly making demands and accusing his victim of holding money back.
"She would say she was being directly threatened at this stage.""She would say she was being directly threatened at this stage."
The charges against 30-year-old Shoukri included using "certain criminal property, namely a money transfer" from a building society to buy his Clare Heights home in Belfast in November 2004.The charges against 30-year-old Shoukri included using "certain criminal property, namely a money transfer" from a building society to buy his Clare Heights home in Belfast in November 2004.
Jailed with him for nine years was John Boreland, 38 from Sunningdale Gardens, on four charges of blackmail, one of intimidation and one of possessing a firearm, or imitation firearm to commit assault.Jailed with him for nine years was John Boreland, 38 from Sunningdale Gardens, on four charges of blackmail, one of intimidation and one of possessing a firearm, or imitation firearm to commit assault.
Also jailed, for seven years, was 25-year-old Terry Harbinson from Tyndale Gardens, Belfast, who admitted blackmail, and intimidation and possession of a firearm, or imitation firearm.Also jailed, for seven years, was 25-year-old Terry Harbinson from Tyndale Gardens, Belfast, who admitted blackmail, and intimidation and possession of a firearm, or imitation firearm.
Former Met policeman Ian Peter Craig, 47, of Garland Hill, Manse Road, Belfast, turned mortgage advisor who aided and abetted, counselled or procured Shoukri in the dishonest obtaining of a money transfer received two years, suspended for three years.Former Met policeman Ian Peter Craig, 47, of Garland Hill, Manse Road, Belfast, turned mortgage advisor who aided and abetted, counselled or procured Shoukri in the dishonest obtaining of a money transfer received two years, suspended for three years.
A police spokesman claimed that the police operation "had the effect of dismantling the leadership of the UDA in north Belfast" at that particular time.A police spokesman claimed that the police operation "had the effect of dismantling the leadership of the UDA in north Belfast" at that particular time.
He added that Shoukri, Boreland and Harbinson "thought they were above the law".He added that Shoukri, Boreland and Harbinson "thought they were above the law".
"You could say they thought they were untouchable. The fact is they were not," he said."You could say they thought they were untouchable. The fact is they were not," he said.
"Those who prey on individuals and communities through extortion are not untouchable.""Those who prey on individuals and communities through extortion are not untouchable."