Loyalist Adair moves to Scotland

Police said Adair's presence is "of interest" to them

Former loyalist paramilitary leader Johnny Adair has moved to a Scottish town, police have confirmed.

They said 42-year-old Adair has taken up residence in Troon in Ayrshire after moving from Bolton, Greater Manchester.

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said the presence of Adair, from Belfast, was "clearly of interest" to the force.

Adair was released from prison in January after serving two-thirds of a 16-year term for directing terrorism by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF).

Last month Adair was sentenced to a 12-month supervision order in Bolton after admitting assaulting his wife Gina. He was ordered to pay his wife £250 in compensation.

A spokesman for Strathclyde Police said: "Collectively the Scottish Police Service is aware of the presence of Mr Adair in Scotland.

Loyalist feud

"As a UK citizen, he is not subject to any restriction and is free to enter Scotland but the fact that he has chosen to do so is clearly of interest to us.

"We would, however, wish to generally reassure members of the public of our resolve to continually monitor any potential causes for concern and take the action that appears appropriate to the circumstances at that time."

Adair was expelled by the Ulster Defence Association leadership in late 2002. The organisation has carried out attacks on Catholics under its UFF cover name.

Adair's family stayed in Scotland briefly in 2003 after fleeing a loyalist feud in Belfast.