Gambling Habits Should Not Have Been Made Public

The police have been accused of setting up for assassination the leading loyalist Andre Shoukri by leaking details of his alleged massive gambling.

The claim was made in the High Court by Shoukri's lawyer during a bail application on charges of blackmail, intimidation and money laundering.

A Crown lawyer told the court that 28 year-old Shoukri, alleged to be the UDA "Brigadier" in north Belfast, had gambled £863,000 in Stanleybet Bookmakers, York Street, Belfast, between April, 2003, and last August.

The figure was made public earlier this year and Shoukri's lawyer Arthur Harvey, QC, said the deliberate leaking by the police was calculated to deny his client the beginnings of a fair trial and ear-mark him as a potential candidate for assassination, similar to the way in which ousted East Belfast loyalist Jim Gray was murdered.

Mr Harvey said the killing would be carried out by individuals who would feel that Shoukri's behaviour did not meet what they demanded on required.

"Regrettably, it would appear that the police and the Chief Constable are more prepared to do that in public rather than within the confines of an interview," added Mr Harvey.

The court was earlier told that Shoukri, who has been in custody since last November, was receiving £200 a week for allowing Bonaparte's Bar on the Cavehill Road to remain open.

It was allegeded he was also getting between £300 and £400 a week from the bar's gaming machines.

Lord Justice Nicholson adjourned the application for the defence to be given transcripts of police interviews with Shoukri before he was charged last November.

"I may say that from what I have been told the chances of this man getting bail are not high," said the judge.