19/09/2006

Soldier pleads guilty to war crime

A British soldier has admitted committing a war crime at the start of a court martial in Wiltshire.

Corporal Donald Payne, 35, of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, pleaded guilty to inhumanely treating Iraqi civilians at the beginning of a court martial at the Military Court Centre at Bulford Camp on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire.

He denies two further charges of manslaughter and perverting the course of justice.

The charges relate to the death of Iraqi civilian Baha Musa, 26, in Basra, while he was being detained in custody in Basra in 2003, as well as the alleged mistreatment of other detainees.

Six other soldiers are also facing charges in relation to the death of Mr Musa.

Lance Corporal Wayne Crowcroft, 22 and Private Darren Fallon, 23, both from the same regiment as Cpl Payne, have been charged with inhumane treatment.

Sergeant Kelvin Stacey, 29, also from the same regiment, has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and an alternative count of common assault.

Major Michael Peebles, 35, and Warrant Officer Mark Davies, 37, both from the Intelligence Corps and Colonel Jorge Mendonca, 42, from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, all face charges of negligently performing a duty.

All six have the denied the charges against them.

The court martial is expected to last for sixteen weeks.

(KMcA)

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