AN SAS hero who was jailed for 15 months for keeping a war trophy in his Hereford cellar has been released early.

Albert Patterson, 65, has been released four months into his sentence for keeping a 9mm self-loading pistol in his cellar, the weapon was taken from an Argentinian officer to remind him of friends killed in the Falklands conflict.

Following an exclusive story of his prison sentence in the Hereford Times, The Sun newspaper launched an appeal for him to be released which was signed by 160,000 people.

Scott Coughtrie, defending Patterson during his sentencing at Hereford Crown Court in April, said that the war veteran had an illustrious career and served for 22 years in the military, first in the parachute regiment and then the SAS.

“He spent a great deal of time abroad protecting our country and our way of life,” said Mr Coughtrie.

“In his history he has dealt with the most sensitive and dangerous operations this country is to bare.

“These weapons were never loaded or used in the UK and had never been in the public domain.

“He said he received said pistol as a trophy of war from the Falklands and the ammunition during his military service."

Also found in his cellar was five rounds of expanding ammunition, 177 rounds of 9mm ammunition, four Enfield pistols and a gas self-loading rifle component part.

An appeal ordering for his sentence to be reconsidered was rejected in June and Patterson was due to be released in November.

However, he was called before a parole board earlier this month and credited for being an 'exemplary prisoner' leading to his release.

His daughter Cherida told the Hereford Times: "It's amazing to have him home and we're really happy.

"It's been a hard couple of months for us whilst he was in prison. Dad has just got on with it as that's his mentality.

"I spoke to him very often in prison, he was well looked after and safe."

Patterson was released on curfew, he must wear an electronic tag and follow a 7am until 7pm curfew until November.