Lord Ken Maginnis says he will appeal his conviction for assault during road rage incident

THE Ulster Unionist Party’s former security spokesman has been found guilty of assaulting a man in a road rage incident.

Lord Ken Maginnis, a former Major in the Ulster Defence Regiment, admitted on Monday swearing at his victim Keith Kirk calling him a ‘yellow bellied bastard’ during a roadside row last year.

But the 75-year-old peer strenuously denied grabbing him and raising his fist.

However, the judge found him guilty of an “angry and abusive tirade”.

As a result, he was fined £200 and ordered to pay his victim the same amount.

District Judge John Meehan said Lord Maginnis’ tirade left Mr Kirk very frightened and his sister, who had been in the passenger seat, “terrified”.

He said it was very sad that “a man who has given many years of the highest public service” should find himself in this position at his age in life.

Lord Maginnis says he will appeal the conviction to the county court to have it overturned.