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Page last updated at 15:05 GMT, Friday, 16 May 2008 16:05 UK
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Double murder charges are dropped

David McIlwaine (left) and Andrew Robb
David McIlwaine and Andrew Robb were killed in February 2000

Murder charges have been dropped against a man who agreed to give evidence against his co-accused.

Mark Burcombe had been charged with the murders of teenagers David McIlwaine and Andrew Robb eight years ago.

The 27-year-old from Ballynahinch Road in Lisburn is set to give evidence against Steven Brown, 27, of Castle Place in Castlecaulfield.

David McIlwaine, 18, and Andrew Robb, 19, were stabbed in Tandragee, County Armagh, in 2000.

They were attacked after leaving a disco in the village in February 2000. Their bodies were found on a road outside Tandragee.

Burcombe appeared in the dock of Belfast Crown Court on Friday, where a new charge added onto the bill of indictment was put to him.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Robb.

A crown prosecutor told the court that in light of the plea, the murder charge against him was "not to be proceeded with without leave of this court or the Court of Appeal".

Mr Justice Hart said Burcombe would be sentenced before the trial of his co-accused begins. A date for the sentencing has yet to be fixed.



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