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- New turn in murder trial
by LINDA CHRISTIE
Evening Echo
A TRIPLE murder trial took a new twist this week when
the court was told that detectives posing as Irish brothers
"Billy and John" made death threats to one of
the accused.
The officers, who claimed to be members of an Irish gang,
made a series of calls to Great Bentley man Michael Steele
after three drug dealers were shot dead. Supergrass Darren
Nicholls alleges he unwittingly drove the getaway car
for Steele and his co-defendant Jack Whomes.
The threatening calls from "Billy and John"
began in February 1996, the Old Bailey heard on Wednesday.
The pair said they had provided part of the cash given
to Steele for a drugs deal and told him they wanted it
back.
Nicholls later told police: "This Irish geezer had
rung up Mick (Steele) and said: "We know you done
it Mickey. We want our money". Nicholls initially
told police the threats from the mystery brothers were
the motive for the murders.
But Graham Parkins QC, defending Steele, told Nicholls:
"You now know the Irish threat was in reality two
policemen, you were told that by other officers weren't
you?" Nicholls denied he was.
Mr Parkins continued: "You made a massive blunder
when you put them forward as the motive and that claim
didn't appear in your later witness statements, Mr Nicholls.
"Was that because the officers interviewing you said:
"Hold on, the Irish brothers were policemen and they
only rang up after the killings?" Nicholls again
replied: "No."
The trial continues. |
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