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Soldiers cleared of Cyprus brawl | Soldiers cleared of Cyprus brawl |
(about 1 hour 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. |
'Audible gasp' | 'Audible gasp' |
At Famagusta District Court in Paralimni, Judge Elias Georgiou ruled there was not enough evidence to link the servicemen to the offences. | At Famagusta District Court in Paralimni, Judge Elias Georgiou ruled there was not enough evidence to link the servicemen to the offences. |
The owner of the Bedrock Bar, Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, told the court that 20 soldiers threw bottles, attacked staff and smashed everything in sight. | The owner of the Bedrock Bar, 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. |
British forces spokesman Captain Nick Ulvert says the soldiers are to return to the UK | British forces spokesman Captain Nick Ulvert says the soldiers are to return to the UK |
Chief Constable Thansis Loizou of Famagusta CID told court during the trial that he was "sure" the accused were responsible. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "There was an audible gasp - it was fantastic news," he said. |
"A couple of lads slapped each other on the back. | "A couple of lads slapped each other on the back. |
"They smiled and grinned at each other, and there was a lot of disbelief. | "They smiled and grinned at each other, and there was a lot of disbelief. |
"We are absolutely delighted. It has been a long process and a huge pressure." | "We are absolutely delighted. It has been a long process and a huge pressure." |
He added that the soldiers were disciplined for visiting the Bedrock Bar, which was out of bounds. | He added that the soldiers were disciplined for visiting the Bedrock Bar, which was out of bounds. |
The Bedrock Inn had been out of bounds to UK forces | The Bedrock Inn had been out of bounds to UK forces |
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. |
Cpt Ulvert said all nine would return to the UK on 2 August. | Cpt Ulvert said all nine would return to the UK on 2 August. |
They will now be allowed to rejoin their units in the UK, which are currently on guard duty at royal residences. | They will now be allowed to rejoin their units in the UK, which are currently on guard duty at royal residences. |
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said the conclusion of the case meant that the army could consider whether "internal administrative action" should follow. | |
He added: "We extend our sympathies to those affected by this incident." | |
In a separate civil action, Mr Hadjiyiannis is pursuing the soldiers for £4m in damages. | In a separate civil action, Mr Hadjiyiannis is pursuing the soldiers for £4m in damages. |
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. |
Central Ayia Napa was ruled off-limits to UK service personnel after the rape and murder of Danish tour guide Louise Jensen by British servicemen in 1994. | Central Ayia Napa was ruled off-limits to UK service personnel after the rape and murder of Danish tour guide Louise Jensen by British servicemen in 1994. |