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Soldiers on trial over bar fight Soldiers on trial over bar fight
(20 minutes later)
Nine British soldiers have gone on trial accused of starting a mass bar brawl in Aiya Napa, Cyprus.Nine British soldiers have gone on trial accused of starting a mass bar brawl in Aiya Napa, Cyprus.
The defendants are all from the 2nd Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, based in Dhekelia, on the east of the island. The defendants are all from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, based in Dhekelia, on the east of the island.
The fight broke out at the Bedrock Inn club on 2 February. The charges they face range from grievous and actual bodily harm to breach of the peace.The fight broke out at the Bedrock Inn club on 2 February. The charges they face range from grievous and actual bodily harm to breach of the peace.
All nine soldiers have pleaded not guilty to the charges they face, at Famagusta District Court in Paralimni. All nine soldiers have pleaded not guilty to the charges they face.
The soldiers had been celebrating finishing tours of Iraq and Afghanistan when a fight broke out.The soldiers had been celebrating finishing tours of Iraq and Afghanistan when a fight broke out.
The bar owner, a customer and two soldiers were left injured and needed hospital treatment.The bar owner, a customer and two soldiers were left injured and needed hospital treatment.
One soldier, Darren Mason, 28, from Manchester, suffered a fractured skull.One soldier, Darren Mason, 28, from Manchester, suffered a fractured skull.
The Bedrock Inn bar is "out of bounds" for military personnel because of previous violent incidents.The Bedrock Inn bar is "out of bounds" for military personnel because of previous violent incidents.
The nine servicemen have gone on trial at Famagusta District Court in Paralimni.
In a separate case, the bar owner is suing the soldiers and UK authorities for £4m for physical injury to himself, loss of earnings and damage to the bar.In a separate case, the bar owner is suing the soldiers and UK authorities for £4m for physical injury to himself, loss of earnings and damage to the bar.
I'm confident and sure that the defendants are involved in the offences and therefore I proceeded with their prosecution Thansis Loizou, Chief ConstableI'm confident and sure that the defendants are involved in the offences and therefore I proceeded with their prosecution Thansis Loizou, Chief Constable
Lance Corporal William Sewell, 21, from Manchester is charged with grievous bodily harm, malicious damage and breach of the peace.Lance Corporal William Sewell, 21, from Manchester is charged with grievous bodily harm, malicious damage and breach of the peace.
Lance Corporals David Ramage, 21, from Manchester, and Daniel Brayne, 22, from Birmingham, face charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, along with malicious damage and breach of the peace.Lance Corporals David Ramage, 21, from Manchester, and Daniel Brayne, 22, from Birmingham, face charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, along with malicious damage and breach of the peace.
Damien Heywood, 27, Andy Evans, 21, both Lance Corporals, and Dean Rushton, 21 - all from Manchester - Gary Farrell, 23, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Christopher Wenham, 19, from London, and Ashley Hughes, 19, from Birmingham, deny malicious damage and breach of the peace.Damien Heywood, 27, Andy Evans, 21, both Lance Corporals, and Dean Rushton, 21 - all from Manchester - Gary Farrell, 23, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Christopher Wenham, 19, from London, and Ashley Hughes, 19, from Birmingham, deny malicious damage and breach of the peace.
'Illegal' arrests'Illegal' arrests
Defending all nine suspects, Andreas Charalambous, said the arrests were illegal and not carried out according to Cypriot law.Defending all nine suspects, Andreas Charalambous, said the arrests were illegal and not carried out according to Cypriot law.
He questioned the way the defendants had been identified by complainants - the soldiers were led individually into a room rather than placed in a line-up.He questioned the way the defendants had been identified by complainants - the soldiers were led individually into a room rather than placed in a line-up.
But Chief Constable Thansis Loizou, of Famagusta CID, who made the arrests together with the Royal Military Police, insisted proper procedures had been followed.But Chief Constable Thansis Loizou, of Famagusta CID, who made the arrests together with the Royal Military Police, insisted proper procedures had been followed.
He said: "I'm confident and sure that the defendants are involved in the offences and therefore I proceeded with their prosecution."He said: "I'm confident and sure that the defendants are involved in the offences and therefore I proceeded with their prosecution."
The soldiers' regiment has returned to the UK. The nine soldiers on trial have not been allowed home.The soldiers' regiment has returned to the UK. The nine soldiers on trial have not been allowed home.
The accused were punished with 14 days detention and the lance corporals have been demoted to the rank of private for being in a banned part of the island.The accused were punished with 14 days detention and the lance corporals have been demoted to the rank of private for being in a banned part of the island.
If found guilty, some of the soldiers could serve between three and five years in jail.If found guilty, some of the soldiers could serve between three and five years in jail.
The trial continues.The trial continues.