Neil Pollock jailed as a result of UVF supergrass trial

The only man to be convicted as a result of one of the longest and most expensive trials in Northern Ireland's history has been jailed for five years.

Neil Pollock, from Fortwilliam Gardens in Belfast, was convicted of supplying the sledgehammer used in the murder of UDA leader Tommy English in 2000.

Pollock was also found guilty of giving one of the accused a false alibi.

Thirteen other men were acquitted in Northern Ireland's first so-called supergrass trial in more than 25 years.

Tommy English was shot dead in front of his family during a feud between loyalist paramilitary groups, the UDA and the UVF.

Pollock, a 35-year-old father of two, is a stepbrother of Doreen English, the victim's wife.

Mrs English had pleaded for clemency for Pollock and the judge paid tribute to her as he passed sentence at Belfast Crown Court.

"It is a testimony to her strength of character and unflinching resolve that even now she has found it possible to express her feelings of care for her brother and to make a plea for some measure of clemency on his behalf," said Mr Justice Gillen.

The judge said that the widow had given a "moving and arresting account" of the impact of the murder on her young family.

"I find it enormously helpful to have heard her perspective on this whole matter," he said.

However, Mr Justice Gillen said "sentences for terrorist offences must be severe in order to constitute a deterrence to other potential offenders".

He jailed Pollock for four years for supplying the sledgehammer, which he bought in a local DIY store in the hours leading up to the murder.

In perverting the course of justice, Pollock had provided his brother-in-law, John Bond, with a false alibi, claiming that on the day of the murder they had not returned to Belfast from a family funeral until after it was dark.

For that offence, Pollock was given a concurrent term of 18 months, a year of which is to be served in custody, followed by six months on parole.

Mr Bond, from Essex Court in Belfast, whose wife is a sister of Mrs English, was acquitted of any involvement in the murder at the end of the supergrass trial in January.

More than £5.8m of public money was spent on the trial between the PSNI, the Public Prosecution Service, and the court and prison services.

The cost of legal aid fees for the defence barristers and solicitors has not yet been finalised, but is likely to be the most expensive part of the trial.

The case relied on the evidence of so-called supergrasses, Robert and Ian Stewart, who the judge said had both lied throughout their testimony.

The thirteen men who were cleared had been charged with more than 30 offences including the murder of Mr English, kidnapping, and UVF membership.