Northern Ireland

Two men to stand trial on submachine gun charges

Two Belfast men are to stand trial charged with possessing a submachine gun
Two Belfast men are to stand trial charged with possessing a submachine gun Two Belfast men are to stand trial charged with possessing a submachine gun

TWO men have been told they will stand trial in Belfast later this year after being charged with possessing a submachine gun.

Eamonn Hutchinson (37), from Princes Dock Street in the city, and 38-year old Matthew Charles Johnston, from Carrick Hill, confirmed their names when they appeared in court but refused to stand when the charges were put to them.

Both men have been charged with possessing an 'Ingram M11' 9x19mm calibre submachine gun and a 9x19mm calibre cartridge on November 28 2017 with intent to endanger life or cause serious damage to property.

They were also charged with possessing the same weapon and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

After the charges were put to Hutchinson and Johnston, they both replied "Not guilty".

Johnston is facing a further four charges on the same date, which he also denied.

He pleaded not guilty to possessing an assortment of ammunition with intent, and of possessing the same ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

He also denied possessing ammunition for military use which consists in or incorporates a missile designed to penetrate armour plating, armour screening or body armour, namely six cartridges with black tipped full metal jacketed bullets, and also possessing a collapsible stock compatible for use with an Ingram M11 submachine gun for use in terrorism.

Judge David McFarland was told by a Crown prosecutor that the trial has been scheduled for the end of April and will last between one to three weeks.

Johnston was remanded back into custody while his co-accused was released on bail.