A FORMER terrorist who fled Northern Ireland under threat of death wants to leave the town where he is living because it is too rough.

Roy Richmond said he wanted to move out of Stockton because he was sick of the high levels of crime and drugs in the town.

Mr Richmond moved to Stockton four years ago after he said police in Belfast told him the IRA had put a contract out on his life.

A former loyalist gunman for the Ulster Defence Association, Mr Richmond served four years in prison in the 1980s for shooting a Catholic milkman.

Despite witnessing sectarian violence in his native Belfast, the 45-year-old said he could not stomach another day in the Teesside town.

He said: "I'm getting out of here. It's just too rough. I know that sounds strange because of where I'm from, but this is as bad as Belfast.

"I've always been a hard nut. Back home I was shot at. I've never been afraid of anything. But when I go out at night now I feel vulnerable. I won't let my girlfriend go out by herself because I'm worried for her safety."

The former hitman, who lives near Stockton town centre, said he had been assaulted several times in the street and had reported the incidents to police.

Local councillor Paul Kirton said: "The area where this man lives has got wardens, community police and regular officers patrolling so if he has any problems there is a big presence there."

Mr Richmond, who was released from prison earlier this year after serving six months for assault, hopes to be rehoused in Redcar by the Probation Service.

A Cleveland Police spokes-man confirmed Mr Richmond had made two complaints of assault in the past two months. He said after the first complaint, suspects were arrested but Mr Richmond had refused to pursue the matter.