Historical Enquires Team Trial
In January 2009 he was charged in connection with the murder of Tommy English. Haddock was taken back into custody on 2 September 2011 as he prepared to face charges for the murder.
On 21 July 2009 Haddock was arrested by officers from the Historical Enquiries Team (HET). He was to be questioned about the murders of John Harbinson in May 1997, Gary Convie and Eamon Fox in May 1994 and Sharon McKenna in January 1993, as well as a number of assaults and a shooting. The following day he Haddock was charged with the murder of a 39-year-old man in 1997. Haddock was slated to appear in court in Belfast on 23 July 2009 accused of killing John Harbinson. The Protestant was beaten to death in the Mount Vernon estate where Haddockâs notorious gang wielded power.
The HET trial ended in February 2012 when Haddock and all but one of his co-defendants were acquitted of the charges brought against them. The judge called into question the evidence provided by Robert and Ian Stewart, two brothers who were members of the Mount Vernon UVF before turning "supergrass", denouncing them for their "bad character" and fabrication of evidence. Separate charges against Haddock for the murder of John Harbinson remained outstanding until 5 December 2012 when the Public Prosecution Service withdrew their case. This however was on a "without prejudice" basis, allowing the police to continue their investigations and also allowing for the possibility of future charges against Haddock.
Read more about this topic: Mark Haddock
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