Former British soldier jailed over UDA offences

Former British soldier Mark Pilling, from Heron Way in the Waterside area of Derry City, was jailed for six years at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday 9 December on UDA related charges.

Pilling, originally from England, pleaded guilty to a catalogue of UDA offences, which included conspiracy to murder, intimidation, possessing guns and explosives and UDA membership.

The former British soldier also acted as spokesperson for the UDA's political wing the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) and fronted a UDA organised community group in the Waterside.

Pilling, who spent four years in the British Army, worked with the UDA organised community group before before he went on to join the UDA in August 2001.