Friday, May 3, 2013

Sgt Danny Nightingale to Face a Retrial

 


May 2, 2013
Former SAS sniper Sergeant Danny Nightingale will face a retrial for illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition.

Earlier the case was adjourned after secret emails were revealed to the court, which appeared to show the Director of Service Prosecutions consulting the military "chain of command" on whether or not to pursue the case against the soldier.

Sgt Nightingale, was originally sentenced to 18 months' military detention after pleading guilty.

He successfully appealed against the sentence and was released after three weeks.

Judges concluded the original 18-month sentence from November was too harsh and cut the term to 12 months, saying it should be suspended, prompting Sgt Nightingale's immediate release.

The Court of Appeal also quashed his conviction, saying a fresh court martial should be held.

Sgt Nightingale, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, would be expected to plead not guilty at a retrial, his defence team arguing that a brain injury affecting his memory is a critical element in the case.

 *Previous Sgt Nightingale post - with more background.

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