DISGRACEFUL; Butchered boys parents' anguish as accused gives evidence and murder charges are to be dropped.

Byline: BY ASHLEIGH McDONALD

THE parents of two teenagers who had their throats cut told of their disgust yesterday after murder charges against one suspect were dropped.

Belfast Crown Court heard how Mark Burcombe, 27, will make a statement at a "covert location" against co-accused Steven Leslie Brown.

Paul McIlwaine, the father of murdered teenager Paul, stood up in the public gallery and shouted: "I am the father of one of the victims and I object strongly to any deal being done."

Speaking outside the court, Mr McIlwaine claimed he had only just been informed by the PSNI that the additional charge will be one of grievous bodily harm with intent.

He said: "I am absolutely disgusted. Nobody approached us about this, there has been no consultation with us.

"There shouldn't be any deal done for Burcombe.

"I'm absolutely fuming. I am sick to my stomach." Andrew Robb's mother Ann, who was in tears after the revelation in court, also expressed her disgust.

Sources say that Burcombe, who had been due to stand trial for the murders of David McIlwaine, 18, and 19-year old Andrew Robb, is now expected to face a GBH charge.

The victims had their throats cut and their bodies dumped on a country road in Tandragee, Co Armagh in February 2000.

Brown, 27, from Castle Place in Castlecaulfield, Co Tyrone, and Burcombe, from Ballynahinch Road in Lisburn, Co Antrim, were due to stand trial for the double murder.

However, Crown prosecutor Donna McColgan revealed Burcombe is to act as a prosecution witness against Brown.

She revealed a witness statement is to be taken from Burcombe in the coming fortnight.

She told Mr Justice Hart: "Thereafter, an application will be made to the court to add an additional count to the indictment in respect of Mark Burcombe."

Mr Justice Hart ordered the Crown witness statements to be handed over to the defence by 4.30pm on May 2.

He told the court he will review the case on May 16. The trial is due to proceed on June 9.

CAPTION(S):

HORROR Forensics officers examine the scene in Tandragee, Co Armagh, where the bodies of David McIlwaine, left, and Andrew Robb were found in 2000; FURY Andrew Robb's mother Ann yesterday; SHOCK David McIlwaine's father, left, at court