UDA boss gets bail

Ousted unionist paramilitary boss Jim Gray was released from jail on Thursday 15 September on £15,000 bail.

Former East Belfast UDA boss Gray, of Knockwood Park, Belfast, who is accused of money laundering was arrested near Banbridge, County Down along with his partner Sharon Moss in April this year as he drove towards the border. The PSNI allegedly found a bank draft for €10,000 and nearly £3,000 sterling in Gray's car. He also faces charges of possessing and concealing criminal property and money laundering.

Gray (47) was refused bail in May, but at Belfast High Court Judge Joseph Coghlin, granting bail, instructed him to report to the PSNI five times a week.

Gray was also ordered to stay away from contacting one of Belfast's leading estate agents Philip Johnston. Johnston 39, of Kings Road, Belfast is facing four charges of money laundering.

PSNI detectives examining Gray's financial affairs have travelled to five star hotels in Spain, the Canary Islands, London and Dublin where they suspect the former unionist paramilitary leader stayed. Days before Gray was arrested he was deposed from his position as 'brigadier' of the UDA in East Belfast.