A SOUTH Belfast man has been jailed for life after pleading guilty to what was described as the savage killing of reportedly two friends with a sword last July - one a senior member of the UDA.
Albert Armstron (47), of Mahee Close in Belfast's Belvior estate, spoke only three times at Belfast Crown Court.
Once to confirm his identity, then to plead "guilty", as each charge of murder, that of veteran UDA man Colin 'Bap' Lindsay and Stanley Wightman, were put to him.
Mr Justice Treacy told Armstrong that under law the sentence was one of life imprisonment, and that was the sentence he would pass.
However, he added that a tariff hearing, to determine the minimum term he will be serve, would be heard by the end of the month.
Defence QC Gavin Duffy said it was always indicated Armstrong accepted his responsibility, however, what was at issue was his mental health.
He added that having evaluated those reports, he would ask for Armstrong to be re-arraigned.
Following his guilty pleas the lawyer said he would make the various reports available to the court and the probation service in an effort to expidite matters.
Prosecution QC Neil Connor said victim impact reports may also be provided from close family members of both men and how their deaths have affected them.
No details surrounding what happened on July 8 last year were given during the short hearing, which had been listed only as a "Mention".
However, at the time it was reported that police found 47-year-old Mr Lindsay dead in the livingroom of his Kirkiston Walk in the Belvoir estate.
Beside the father of two was 52-year-old Mr Wightman. He died in hospital two days later.
Both men were said to have suffered severe wounds inflicted by a Samurai-type sword.
It was also reported the bloodied weapon, belonging to Mr Lindsay, was allegedly later recovered from Armstrong's blue Mazda 6 car.
