Former Ulster Defence Association (UDA) paramilitary leader Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair walked free from court in England today after he admitted assaulting his wife.
Adair (42) drunkenly attacked Gina Adair hours after he was released from prison last month, Bolton Magistrates' Court heard.
Ms Karen Tong, prosecuting, said Adair was seen kneeling on his wife and "punching her repeatedly with both arms".
The couple, who have been married for 23 years and have four children, were walking home from a nearby pub after celebrating Adair 's release from prison on September 26th.
A group of children and their parents playing football in the park reported seeing Adair dragging his wife by the hair as she tried to flee, Mrs Tong said.
Mrs Adair suffered bruises to her face, cuts to her hand and some hair loss in the attack but did not require medical treatment. Adair, whose new address was withheld by the court, was made the subject of a 12-month community rehabilitation order.
The Probation Service will supervise him one-on-one because he is not deemed suitable for group work.
Adair, who collects state benefits, was ordered to pay a £250 fine and £35 costs.
The court heard how Adair, who admitted one charge of common assault on September 28th, had attacked his wife before. Adair, once a notorious commander of the West Belfast 'C' Company section of the Ulster Freedom Fighters, fled to Bolton in February 2003 after a feud erupted among loyalist terror groups in Belfast.
PA