The widower of reality television star Jade Goody was today released from prison.

Released: Jack Tweed

Jack Tweed, 21, of Buckhurst Hill, Essex, was given a 12-week jail sentence on April 14 after being convicted of assaulting a taxi driver. He left Edmunds Hill Prison near Newmarket, Suffolk, shortly after 10am.

Tweed was met by his mother, Mary, and friend Mark Wright then driven away. He said nothing to waiting reporters.

Four police officers stood guard at the entrance to the prison as Tweed left.

Tweed was jailed by magistrates in Harlow, Essex, after a court heard that he attacked Stephen Wilkins in Epping, Essex, in May 2008.

Prosecutors said Tweed threatened to stab the taxi driver while the car was travelling at 50mph. They said Tweed lost his temper after being asked to pay the fare in advance.

Magistrates told Tweed that he would serve half of his sentence before being released on licence. Tweed had denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.

Goody - who was famed for her appearances on the Channel 4 show Big Brother - died in April after losing a fight against cancer. She had married Tweed shortly before her death.

Tweed has twice been found guilty of assault in the past year. In September 2008 he was given an 18-month jail term after being convicted of hitting a 16-year-old boy with a golf club.

He was released from prison on licence in January and ordered to wear a monitoring tag and observe a curfew.

Tweed will visit his late wife's grave today after reporting to probation and having a meeting with his agent, Mark Thomas.

He plans to go out for a meal with his family later, Mr Thomas said, possibly to a Chinese restaurant on the Isle of Dogs in east London.

Tweed's business partner, Mark Wright, has organised a party on Sunday to mark his release.

A poster on the website of Faces nightclub in Gants Hill, Essex, states "Jack Tweed's Relaunch Party" is being held there.

The event is described as "Jack's first night out in over a year".

Mr Thomas stressed that this was just the latest of the regular club nights promoted by Tweed and his business partner.

He added: "I'm not 100% sure whether (Tweed) will even definitely go there - he may or may not."