A Belfast widower who got a gun from the US to protect his family has been freed on bail by the High Court in Belfast. Mr James Clinton (37), whose wife Theresa (34) was murdered by the Ulster Freedom Fighters four years ago, was arrested at his home in Hawthorn Drive a fortnight ago within hours of receiving the .22 Beretta in the post.
The former Sinn Fein local government candidate later told police he had ordered the pistol to protect the lives of his family and that of his new partner, Ms Roseann Gilbride, who had also been widowed by loyalist terrorists.
Mr Clinton, who admits possessing the pistol and nine bullets, but denies having it with intent to endanger life, was freed on bail of £8,500.