Editing David Ervine (section)

== Arrest and imprisonment ==
Ervine was arrested in November 1974, while an active member of the UVF. He was driving a stolen car containing five pounds of commercial explosives, a detonator and fuse wire. After seven months on remand in [[Crumlin Road Gaol]], he was found guilty of possession of explosives with intent to endanger life. He was sentenced to 11 years and imprisoned in [[Maze (HM Prison)|The Maze]]. While in prison, Ervine came under the influence of [[Gusty Spence]] who made him question what the loyalist struggle was about. Spence's influence unquestionably changed Ervine's direction: after much study and self-analysis, Ervine emerged with the view that change through politics was the only option.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bowcott |first=Owen |last2= |first2= |date=2007-01-09 |title=David Ervine, loyalist bomber turned Ulster peacemaker, dies at 53 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/jan/09/uk.northernireland |access-date=2025-02-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He also became friends with [[Billy Hutchinson]] while in prison.