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Loyalist jailed for 'savage' act | |
(40 minutes later) | |
A leading north Belfast loyalist has been jailed for 10 years for an attack on a nightclub doorman. | A leading north Belfast loyalist has been jailed for 10 years for an attack on a nightclub doorman. |
Mark Haddock, 37, originally from Mount Vernon Park, was convicted in September of grievous bodily harm with intent against doorman Trevor Gowdy in 2002. | |
Sentencing him, the judge said it was an "act of conspicuous savagery". | |
Haddock, an alleged informer, had been named in court as a leading member of the Ulster Volunteer Force. He survived a gun attack on 30 May. | |
Mr Gowdy was attacked at a social club in Monkstown in December 2002. | |
He was hit on the head and body with an iron bar, a hatchet and a bat, and suffered an "open" fractured skull, broken leg as well as various cuts and bruises. | |
Police found him lying unconscious on the ground. | Police found him lying unconscious on the ground. |
He is now living in England under a witness protection scheme. | He is now living in England under a witness protection scheme. |
'Gangland attack' | |
Haddock was subsequently cleared of attempting to murder Mr Gowdy. However, he was convicted of false imprisonment and setting fire to a car. | |
Haddock appeared before Belfast Crown Court on Monday via video link from prison. | |
Mr Justice Weatherup said: "This was an act of conspicuous savagery and a despicable act upon this man. | |
"He was put in fear of his life and but for his own resourcefulness, I do notdoubt he would have been removed from the scene and further punishment inflictedupon him. | |
"This type of gangland attack cannot be tolerated." | |
Haddock was shot six times in the Doagh Road area of Newtownabbey, County Antrim, in May. At the time, he was on bail awaiting judgement in the case. | Haddock was shot six times in the Doagh Road area of Newtownabbey, County Antrim, in May. At the time, he was on bail awaiting judgement in the case. |
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