Four in court over alleged UVF weapon & explosives

GUNS and explosives were found in homes hidden behind plasterboard and inside a school bag during an operation targeting UVF, a court heard.

Two former soldiers were among four men from Belfast facing weapons charges connected to the seizures in the east of the city on Friday.

William Baker, 51, his 47-year-old brother Robin Baker, Bryce Pounder, 34, and Noel Bambrick, 49, all face charges of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and in suspicious circumstances.

The two brothers and Pounder are also accused of having explosives with intent to endanger life.

Cops recovered eight handguns and three pipe bombs from houses and business premises in the lower Newtownards Road area of Belfast.

Two vehicles, assorted bullets, balaclavas and UVF flags were also seized.

The court heard Pounder formerly served as a rifleman with a regiment based in Yorkshire, while Bambrick was said to have previously been in the Royal Irish Regiment.

The defendants all denied being members of the UVF. District Judge Mark Mcgarrity refused bail applications.

All four men were remanded in custody, to appear again next month.

Gun seized by PSNI FIND