Neil Lennon bomb trial: Accused's son 'warned about bang'

Neil Lennon, Trish Godman and the late Paul McBride were all sent suspect packages

The Neil Lennon bomb plot trial has heard that one of the accused told a witness if he "heard a bang through the night not to look out of the window".

Gordon Muirhead claimed Neil McKenzie said this to him the night before a suspicious package was found in the street where he lived in Kilwinning.

The witness's father Trevor Muirhead, 43, and Mr McKenzie, 42, are accused of plotting to kill Mr Lennon, Trish Godman and the late Paul McBride QC.

Both men deny the charges.

Gordon Muirhead, 24, told the High Court in Glasgow that his father and Mr McKenzie visited him at his home in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, when the comments were made.

He said he thought about the conversation after the suspicious package was found but he "didn't think it was possible for them to do it".

The court was also told that Trevor Muirhead chatted about bombs being "made in a sterile unit" during a conversation with his son.

Assault claim

The jury was told the accused spoke about "more than one being posted" following media coverage of a suspect package.

The claims were said to have been made in a police statement given by Gordon Muirhead.

But he denied saying them and claimed that detectives had assaulted him during the interview.

The court heard Gordon Muirhead spoke to police last May where he recalled asking his dad where "bombs" had been made.

The accused is said to have replied: "They are getting made in a sterile unit. Nothing will get back to us."

The trial also heard of a phone conversation between the pair after the son had "saw coverage on Sky Sports News" and contacted his dad.

Mr Muirhead is asked what "this is all about" and he is said to have replied: "It's not the only one."

Mr Muirhead adds there has "been more than one posted" and when asked if he had "sent them", he tells his son "never you mind".

Gordon Muirhead dismissed the suggestion that he had told police of the remarks.

The witness said officers relayed details to him and claimed he had only signed the statement because he needed medication for a migraine and wanted to be out of the police station.

'Deep trouble'

He also alleged he had been "kicked under the table" during his interview.

Mr McKenzie's QC Donald Findlay later put to him: "You signed this and you knew this was putting your dad in deep trouble.

"It must have been a hell of a kick...just because you wanted out of the police station you dropped your dad right in it."

Mr Muirhead replied: "I knew that I was coming to court and would sort it out there."

Mr Findlay said the officers involved would have been "corrupt and dishonest" if what Mr Muirhead claimed was true.

The witness told the jury he had called a lawyer about it, but was "still waiting for him to phone back".

Mr Muirhead also told the court he had once answered his father's phone when someone named "Neil" called.

The voice said: "Did you see what...Paul McBride got today?"

Mr Muirhead and Mr McKenzie are alleged to have planned to "assault and murder" Mr Lennon, Ms Godman and Mr McBride between 1 March and 15 April last year.

The charge claims the pair sent another suspected bomb to the offices of Cairde na hÉireann (Friends of Ireland) in the Gallowgate, Glasgow.

Both men are also accused of having made and possessed Triacetone Triperoxide with the intent to endanger life.

Mr Muirhead and Mr McKenzie deny all charges.

The trial, before Lord Turnbull, continues.