Terrorist could be free after third of 18-year sentence

A TERRORIST who infiltrated the Royal Marines and built bombs for dissident Republicans could be free in just six years, a former defence minister has said as he urged the Attorney General to increase the sentence.

Ciaran Maxwell, 31, was sent to prison for 18 years this week after he plotted a deadly campaign across Northern Ireland. His 300 targets included military bases, high-profile Unionists and top police officers.

However, Mike Penning, a Tory MP, said that discounts on his sentence mean he could be released in six years. He is urging Jeremy Wright, the Attorney General, to review the sentence.

In a letter to Mr Wright he said: “He admits to stealing British army ordnance with intent to use it against innocent people, stockpiling and supplying pipe bombs to terrorists which he manufactured using skills gained in training as part of the elite Royal Marines and all the time being a traitor to his country and fellow service personnel.”