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Soldiers cleared of Cyprus brawl Soldiers cleared of Cyprus brawl
(21 minutes later)
Nine British soldiers have been acquitted of starting a mass brawl in a bar in Ayia Napa, Cyprus.Nine British soldiers have been acquitted of starting a mass brawl in a bar in Ayia Napa, Cyprus.
The defendants, who all served with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers at Dhekelia, on the island, had faced up to five years in jail.The defendants, who all served with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers at Dhekelia, on the island, had faced up to five years in jail.
They were celebrating finishing tours of Iraq and Afghanistan when a fight began in the Bedrock Inn on 2 February.They were celebrating finishing tours of Iraq and Afghanistan when a fight began in the Bedrock Inn on 2 February.
All pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from grievous and actual bodily harm to breach of the peace.All pleaded not guilty to charges ranging from grievous and actual bodily harm to breach of the peace.
The bar owner, a customer and two soldiers were left injured and needed hospital treatment after the incident.The bar owner, a customer and two soldiers were left injured and needed hospital treatment after the incident.
One soldier, Darren Mason, 28, from Manchester, suffered a fractured skull.One soldier, Darren Mason, 28, from Manchester, suffered a fractured skull.
'Hid in toilet' 'Audible gasp'
Judge Elias Georgiou acquitted the servicemen at Famagusta District Court in Paralimni. At Famagusta District Court in Paralimni, Judge Elias Georgiou ruled there was not enough evidence to link the servicemen to the offences.
The Bedrock Inn bar is "out of bounds" for military personnel because of previous violent incidents.The Bedrock Inn had been out of bounds to UK forces The Bedrock Inn bar is "out of bounds" for military personnel because of previous violent incidents.
A couple of lads slapped each other on the back Cpt Nick Ulvert
Its owner, Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, told the court that 20 soldiers threw bottles, attacked staff and smashed everything in sight.Its owner, Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, told the court that 20 soldiers threw bottles, attacked staff and smashed everything in sight.
He said a chair was broken over his head, but he managed to lock himself in the toilets until police arrived.He said a chair was broken over his head, but he managed to lock himself in the toilets until police arrived.
Chief Constable Thansis Loizou of Famagusta CID told court during the trial that he was "sure" the accused were responsible.
But the defence said they had not been involved in the brawl and were arrested when they had stayed behind to help injured colleagues.
Cpt Nick Ulvert, deputy spokesman for British Forces in Cyprus, described the reaction in court as the verdict was delivered.
"There was an audible gasp - it was fantastic news," he said.
"A couple of lads slapped each other on the back.
"They smiled and grinned at each other, and there was a lot of disbelief.The Bedrock Inn had been out of bounds to UK forces
"We are absolutely delighted. It has been a long process and a huge pressure."
Lance Corporal William Sewell, 21, from Manchester was acquitted of grievous bodily harm, malicious damage and breach of the peace.Lance Corporal William Sewell, 21, from Manchester was acquitted of grievous bodily harm, malicious damage and breach of the peace.
Lance Corporals David Ramage, 21, from Manchester, and Daniel Brayne, 22, from Birmingham, were cleared 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, were cleared 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, were found not guilty of 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, were found not guilty of malicious damage and breach of the peace.
They will now be allowed to rejoin their units in the UK, which are currently on guard duty at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
Some 3,650 British personnel and civilian workers are based in Cyprus at military bases on the island.Some 3,650 British personnel and civilian workers are based in Cyprus at military bases on the island.