A PERFORMANCE art expert is to aid the defence team of former UDA gunman Michael Stone ahead of his impending trial at Belfast Crown Court.
Stone, 53, stormed the Assembly in November 2006 armed with explosives and a knife. He was restrained by security staff who trapped him in the revolving entrance door at Stormont.
He faces a total of 14 charges including possessing home made explosives and a real or imitation gun with intent, carrying a garrotte, three knives and an axe and assaulting security staff who trapped him.
He is also charged with trying to kill Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.
In December 2006, his defence lawyer said the explosives Stone possessed were not viable and that he did not intend to injure or endanger anyone as a consequence of his attack.
Instead he insisted the incident, which forced an evacuation of the building, was performance art. Defence lawyer, Charles McCreanor said:
“Experts have been engaged; they believe they can provide a report of an academic nature.”
The defence team are awaiting the academic study ahead of the five week trial due to commence later this month.
