The couple, who will give evidence against Shoukri and his former second-in-command John 'Bonzer' Boreland, were in a safe house under the police's Witness Protection Programme.

But they had to be moved for the SECOND time late last year amid fears that loyalist thugs would be able to track the couple down, it has emerged.

The 35-year-old woman, known only as 'Witness A', has accused Shoukri, Boreland, and two other defendants of blackmailing her and her 44-year-old partner - 'Witness B' - and making serious threats against them.

In one incident it's alleged that a gun was held to the man's head while money, cheque books and the keys to a bar were demanded.

The couple were taken onto the Witness Protection Programme when the UDA gang was arrested in November 2005.

Details of leaks about their whereabouts emerged as prosecutors applied to Belfast Crown Court for the right for the witnesses to be allowed to give evidence in private.

Mr Justice Hart ruled that the couple, plus a third witness - known as 'Witness C' - will be able to give evidence via a 'live link' to spare them having to face Shoukri and Boreland in the courtroom.

He said: "Whilst I appreciate each of them is an adult, nevertheless the nature of the allegations and the extent and nature of their fears are such that I accept significant additional stress will be imposed upon each of them were they required to face the defendants."

Mr Justice Hart also ruled that while each of three unnamed witnesses are giving evidence the public will be banned from the court, to prevent their identities being widely known.

It was also ruled that the judge who presides over the Diplock trial will be able to consider the previous criminal records of Boreland and Shoukri.

Both men were jailed in 2000 when they were convicted of the blackmail of a restaurant owner in similar circumstances.

Shoukri also served a two-year sentence for possession of a gun, and served a sentence for assault in connection with the death of promising young tennis player Gareth Parker in 1996.