Hotel owner accused of pounds 3m arson

THE OWNER of a hotel in Northern Ireland was yesterday accused of paying terrorists to burn it down so he could claim pounds 3m from an insurance company.

Roy Crawford, 57, was the first person to be charged under anti-terrorist laws for allegedly paying paramilitaries to commit a criminal offence.

Mr Crawford, of Portrush, Co Antrim, bought the seaside resort's Northern Counties hotel six months before it was destroyed by fire in March 1990.

At Belfast magistrates' court yesterday he was charged with arson along with Brian McKimm, 49, of Springvale Parade, Belfast, and Shaun Moan, 48, of Rathmore Gardens, Antrim.

All three also faced further charges in connection with the payment of pounds 46,000 to the outlawed Ulster Volunteer Force.

They were remanded in custody until 8 January.