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| SAS sniper appeals against conviction for possessing pistol | SAS sniper appeals against conviction for possessing pistol |
| (25 days later) | |
| An SAS sniper jailed for illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition has tried to persuade the court of appeal to overturn his convictions. | An SAS sniper jailed for illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition has tried to persuade the court of appeal to overturn his convictions. |
| Sergeant Danny Nightingale, of Crewe, Cheshire, was sentenced to 18 months' military detention by a judge sitting in a military court in early November after admitting illegally possessing a Glock 9mm pistol and more than 300 rounds of ammunition. | Sergeant Danny Nightingale, of Crewe, Cheshire, was sentenced to 18 months' military detention by a judge sitting in a military court in early November after admitting illegally possessing a Glock 9mm pistol and more than 300 rounds of ammunition. |
| The court of appeal concluded in late November that the sentence was too harsh. Three appeal judges cut the term to 12 months, said it should be suspended and ordered Nightingale's release. | The court of appeal concluded in late November that the sentence was too harsh. Three appeal judges cut the term to 12 months, said it should be suspended and ordered Nightingale's release. |
| Lawyers representing Nightingale, 38, on Wednesday tried to quash the conviction at another court of appeal hearing in London. They told three appeal judges that Nightingale had been placed under "undue pressure" to plead guilty by a barrister who represented him at the military court hearing. Lawyers argued that the conviction was therefore unsafe and Nightingale's guilty plea was a "nullity". | Lawyers representing Nightingale, 38, on Wednesday tried to quash the conviction at another court of appeal hearing in London. They told three appeal judges that Nightingale had been placed under "undue pressure" to plead guilty by a barrister who represented him at the military court hearing. Lawyers argued that the conviction was therefore unsafe and Nightingale's guilty plea was a "nullity". |
| William Clegg QC, for Nightingale, told the lord chief justice Lord Judge Mr Justice Mackay and Mr Justice Sweeney on Wednesday that the barrister had fallen "into error". | William Clegg QC, for Nightingale, told the lord chief justice Lord Judge Mr Justice Mackay and Mr Justice Sweeney on Wednesday that the barrister had fallen "into error". |
| "He appeals against his conviction on the ground that undue pressure was placed on him to plead guilty by his then counsel, Mr Ian Winter QC," said Clegg. "It is submitted that leading counsel fell into error and placed undue pressure on the applicant. It renders the conviction unsafe and the plea itself is a nullity." | "He appeals against his conviction on the ground that undue pressure was placed on him to plead guilty by his then counsel, Mr Ian Winter QC," said Clegg. "It is submitted that leading counsel fell into error and placed undue pressure on the applicant. It renders the conviction unsafe and the plea itself is a nullity." |
| When he arrived at court for the appeal, Nightingale said he was hopeful of overturning his conviction. | When he arrived at court for the appeal, Nightingale said he was hopeful of overturning his conviction. |
| Judges adjourned the hearing after taking evidence from lawyers representing Nightingale and prosecutors. They said they aimed to deliver a ruling at 3pm on Wednesday. | Judges adjourned the hearing after taking evidence from lawyers representing Nightingale and prosecutors. They said they aimed to deliver a ruling at 3pm on Wednesday. |
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