Police worker in terror guilty plea

A Police detention officer is facing jail after yesterday admitting publishing images showing his support for a banned Northern irish paramilitary group.

William lloyd-Hughes posted an image on Twitter of two flags linked to the loyalist Ulster Defence Association last August. The 26-year-old, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to a terror offence and a count of sharing grossly offensive messages.

Two charges of sending grossly offensive messages on Twitter were withdrawn by prosecutors following his guilty pleas.

The UDA and its armed wing, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, are responsible for many killings. The group was proscribed in 1992 and membership became illegal. Supporting a proscribed group can mean up to 14 years in prison.

lloyd-Hughes, who was based at Huddersfield police station as a civilian member of staff, told the court he was on a ‘plethora of medication’ because he suffers from cystic fibrosis. lloyd-Hughes, who has been suspended from his job, was released on unconditional bail and will be sentenced on April 19.