A British special forces soldier has received a suspended sentence after shooting a comrade several times at point blank range. The soldier did not realise that he had loaded live ammunition, at speed in the dark, instead of blanks, a military court in Wiltshire heard.
Soldier A was hit in the chest and arms during an exercise and suffered life-changing injuries and post-traumatic stress as a result. He was medically discharged. They wrote in a victim impact statement: “There is no doubt, if I hadn’t been wearing my body armour, I would have been shot dead.”
The shooter, named as Soldier B, admitted to negligence, and received a six-month suspended prison sentence. He was also ordered to pay his victim £5,000 in compensation. Assistant Judge Advocate General Jane England concluded there were multiple safety failures by the military, which meant Soldier B was less culpible. These included a planned safety briefing was cancelled, the court was told.
Moreover, the magazines containing blank bullets looked almost identical to those with live rounds.
Soldier B is understood to be an experienced serviceman, but it was his first time training with the special forces.
He told the court that “speed was of the essence” and “he didn’t want to be the last person ready”, reported The Sun.
Prosecutor Lt. Col. Whiting said: “He failed to properly check the magazine matter before inserting it.”
He added: “As Soldier B went past Soldier A, he saw blood burst from his forearm.”
At first, it was believed that the screams were part of the role playing scenario in a conference room where “civilians” were being held hostage.
Soldier A suffered serious injuries to his left forearm, abdomen and chest, as well as his right arm.
Since the incident, he has been through multiple surgeries.
His left arm required major reconstruction and he lost 90% of a median nerve, which aids motor function of the forearm, wrist, hand and fingers.
The right side of his chest also needed surgery, and the former soldier has been left with permanent scarring.
Soldier A said: “My injuries have changed my life and will continue to have an impact.”
Soldier B apologised to the man he had injured when visiting him in hospital.
