A MEMBER of the Progressive Unionist Party has been given a two year suspended sentence after threatening to have an RUC man killed.
Kenneth Wilkinson (48), from Townspark South, Antrim, attacked the RUC man in the city's British Legion Club, on November 12th, 1995.
After accusing his victim of informing on a Protestant, Wilkinson kicked and head butted him and threatened to have him, shot.
The court heard the police man took the threat seriously and immediately contacted the RUC who arrested Wilkinson in the club. The policeman spent five days in hospital after the attack.
The policeman, who has since retired from the RUC, told the court that if there was no ill will towards him by Wilkinson, he would consider the matter closed.
Suspending sentence, Judge James Brady said that had it not been for the policeman's comments, Wilkinson would have been jailed.
Wilkinson was an unsuccessful candidate for the PUP in May's Forum election.