Three who plotted to murder Johnny ‘Mad Dog’ Adair jailed

Men were convicted in July of conspiring to kill former UDA chief and his associate

Johnny “Mad Dog” Adair: Three men who plotted to murder the former loyalist leader in Scotland have been jailed. File photograph: Ian Hodgson/Reuters
Johnny “Mad Dog” Adair: Three men who plotted to murder the former loyalist leader in Scotland have been jailed. File photograph: Ian Hodgson/Reuters

Three men who plotted to murder former loyalist leader Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair in Scotland have been jailed.

Anton Duffy (39), Martin Hughes (36) and Paul Sands (32), were convicted in July of conspiring to kill former Ulster Defence Association (UDA) chief Adair and his right-hand man, Sam McCrory.

Following a nine-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow, Duffy and Hughes were also convicted of terrorism charges.

Duffy - the “instigator and driving force” behind the plot - was jailed for 17 years when he returned to the court for sentencing.

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He will be supervised for three years after his release under terms of an extended sentence imposed by Judge Lady Scott.

Hughes was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment, while Sands was given an extended sentence involving 10 years behind bars and supervision for three years after release.

Two other men found guilty of organised crime charges were also jailed at the same hearing.

Craig Convery (37), received a nine-year term while his associate, Gordon Brown (30), got a six-year term.

Press Association