ohn Howcroft charged with trying to kill John Boreland

NORTH Belfast UDA brigadier John Bunting and his right hand man John Howcroft are due in court this morning.

They are among three loyalists to appear in the dock of Belfast Magistrates’ Court accused of the attempted murder of convicted UDA extortionist John ‘Bonzo’ Boreland.

The 44-year-old was shot in the thigh earlier this week after a car he was travelling in with former north Belfast UDA brigadier Andre Shoukri was attacked with a breeze block.

Bunting and Howcroft and a third man are further charged with possession of a firearm.

Three men have been charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm, following the shooting of a man in north Belfast earlier this week.

A number of searches have also been carried out in north Belfast and north Down following the shooting at Carrs Glen in north Belfast.

The shooting was the latest in a line of attacks among rival UDA factions in north Belfast in recent weeks.

PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton has condemned the shootings and joined politicians for an end to the attacks.