Leading loyalist Andre Shoukri has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment after attempting to swindle thousands of pounds from a pub owner.
He was found guilty of 18 charges including blackmail, intimidation and acquiring and using criminal property in 2004.
He was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court today after using his fearsome reputation in the Ulster Defence Association to force his victim to hand over large sums of cash.
Prosecuting barrister Gordon Kerr said that at one stage: "Mr Shoukri was very aggressive and angry and demanded the money be paid to him then and there - which it was."
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He said the notorious paramilitary had become more and more aggressive, constantly making demands and accusing his victim of holding money back.