A man who admitted threatening to to kill Jamie Bryson and other north Down loyalists has been handed a ten month jail sentence.
While Robert Beck was sentenced at Newtownards Magistrates on Thursday, the 61-year-old will soon be freed as he has already served more than nine months.
Beck, currently in custody but with an address on the Seacliff Road in Bangor, was due to go on trial charged with four counts of making threats to kill and one of breaching a restraining order, all committed on June 1.
District Judge Mark Hamill told Beck that “this is the end of the wriggle room” and that if he committed any further offences “I will be appalled” if the PPS do not elect to have any future case prosecuted in the Crown Court".
He warned Beck that instead of the two year maximum in his court, the same offences in the Crown Court carried a 14 year maximum sentence.
In addition to the 10 month jail sentence, DJ Hamill also imposed a three year restraining order.
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Bryson commented: “I welcome the strong deterrent sentence handed down by District Judge Hamill and particularly the strong warning that if this behaviour is repeated the Crown Court will deal with the matter, allowing for sentences of up to 14 years.
“The message needs heard loud and clear, just because someone has a public profile does not mean such a person is fair game to be subject to threats."