THE son of Loyalist terror boss Johnny "Mad Dog" Adair has had his jail sentence for drug dealing cut after an appeal court judge took account of the "unusual" circumstances of his strife-torn life.

Jonathan Adair, aged 19, of Chorley New Road, Horwich, was jailed for five years earlier this year after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin on the streets of the town.

Adair and two other men -- Ian and William Truesdale -- were targeted by undercover police in an operation to crack down on drug dealing.

The trio were part of a "dial-a-drug" scheme in which punters ordered narcotics via a mobile telephone owned by Ian Truesdale.

In October last year officers infiltrated the ring posing as potential customers and "establishing regular contact through that mobile telephone number" said Mr Justice Bean.

The judge, sitting at London's Appeal Court, with Mr Justice Richards, reduced the sentences imposed on all three men.

Ian Truesdale, aged 43, of Thorpe Street, Halliwell, had his five year term reduced to four years three months; William Truesdale, aged 41, of Chorley New Road, Horwich, from four years to three years nine months while Jonathan Adair's five year sentence was cut to three years nine months.

All three had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Mr Justice Bean said the three had previously fled Northern Ireland "following feuding with the Ulster Defence Association".

They had put down roots in the Manchester area and started involving themselves in the drugs scene.

He said the sentences were: "somewhat too high" in all three cases, particularly in Adair's, given his relative youth.

Adair was of "entirely good character" before his prosecution, the court heard.

And the judge added: "He has lived his life under an unusual and severe degree of personal strain. It is not necessary to go into the nature of that in detail, save to say that any such strain provides no excuse for drug dealing, but we do regard it as some element of mitigation in the present case."

Members of the Adair family -- including Jonathan's mother Gina, fled to Bolton early last year amid rising tensions within the Ulster Loyalist community.

His father, UDA boss Johnny Adair, is still in Maghaberry Prison serving a 16-year sentence for orchestrating terrorism.