Seven men who served on Op Telic2 with the QLR Battlegroup faced a trial in 2006-7 at Bulford.  They were prosecuted for events that took place in Basrah, Iraq in 2003 when the regiment had detained 10 Iraqi civilians, one of whom later died in custody.  The trial attracted huge interest in the national and international media.

The prosecutions followed an enormous investigation by the RMP. It was the first trial of British soldiers facing allegations of War Crimes under the International Criminal Court Act 2001. Because of the seriousness of the charges, it was the first ever court martial to be tried by a High Court Judge, Mr Justice McKinnon, sitting as a Judge Advocate.

This firm represented a Sergeant, who faced a charge of Assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm and an alternative charge of Common Assault. All the defendants were legally aided under the military scheme administered by the Army Criminal Legal Aid Authority.

Representing the client throughout was Mr Lewis Cherry, solicitor, and Mr Jeremy Baker QC and Mrs Fiona Edington BL both of Thomas More Chambers in London (www.thomasmore.co.uk)

The trial started in September 2006. At the close of the prosecution case the board found him Not Guilty of the ABH charge. On February 14th 2007, following submissions of no case to answer on the remaining Common Assault charge the judge ruled in favour of Sgt S, and he was acquitted.

Links to press items relevant to the trial:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6288501.stm