Officers from the Paramilitary Crime Task Force have acknowledged the sentence handed down to William (Billy) Simms at Belfast Crown Court today, Friday 14 October.
The 31-year-old was handed a two-year prison sentence for possession of items for use in terrorism and possession of a prohibited weapon.
A number of searches were carried out in Ballyclare in February 2021, as part of an investigation into suspected criminality linked to the South East Antrim UDA.
Detective Inspector Corrigan said:
“William Simms was arrested under the Terrorism Act in February of last year. This followed the search of a property in which we discovered a quantity of UDA associated paraphernalia. Weapons – including several swords, tasers, batons and knuckledusters – were also recovered.
“Paramilitary organisations control communities through a regime of fear and violence, and have no place whatsoever in today’s society.
“This case demonstrates our ongoing commitment, and that of our partners, to disrupting organised criminal activity so that local people can get on with peaceful lives.
“I’m keen to thank the community for their continued support and would encourage anyone with information, or concerns, to contact us on 101.”
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