A man has been sent for trial charged with the murder of a Belfast cafe owner nearly 37 years ago.

Robert Clarke (58) is accused of killing Catholic father-of-four Alfredo Fusco in a gun attack at his business premises in February 1973.

Clarke, of Dundrod Road, Nutts Corner, Crumlin, faces a second charge of possessing two guns and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

He was arrested in August following a new probe by the Historical Enquiries Team, a specialist police unit set up to re-examine unsolved terrorist murders in Northern Ireland.

Mr Fusco's murder was blamed on the UDA, although the paramilitary organisation never admitted responsibility.

The 58-year-old victim, a prominent member of Belfast's Italian community, was shot dead at his cafe at York Road, north Belfast, after gunmen forced their way in and singled him out. A pensioner who was near the scene of the attack collapsed and died from a heart attack.

Clarke spoke only to confirm he understood the charges against him during a preliminary enquiry at Belfast Magistrates Court yesterday.

District judge Fiona Bagnall granted a Public Prosecution Service application to have him returned for trial at the city's Crown Court.

With a date still to be set, Clarke was released on continuing bail. He has been ordered to stay at his home address, surrender his passport and report to police twice a week.

Mrs Bagnall, who was told all exhibits in the case have now been submitted, also consented to a defence application for two barristers to represent the accused.