SAS sniper jailed forwar trophy released

The Independent/LondonAn SAS sniper jailed for illegally keeping a pistol and live ammunition as a “war trophy” thanked the public for their support after he was dramatically freed on appeal last night. Sgt Danny Nightingale was embraced by his wife Sally, who led the campaign for his release, after being told his original sentence of 18 months’ detention was being cut to 12 months and suspended, after a special hearing at the Court Martial Appeal Court.  The 37-year-old had been sent to Colchester Military Corrective Training Centre earlier last month after he pleaded guilty to possessing a Glock 9mm pistol, given to him by a group of Iraqi soldiers he had trained in 2007, and 300 rounds of ammunition. After his release from the cells at the Royal Courts of Justice, he hugged his wife and father as he wiped away tears, saying: “Thank you to the great British public. They have been absolutely wonderful in their support. It has just been extremely humbling.” Immediately after the hearing, the Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, announced that he was considering an amnesty on illegally held weapons. Sgt Nightingale, a trained SAS medic from Crewe who also served in Afghanistan, was given the Glock as a leaving present by Iraqi special forces and intended to have it decommissioned to keep as a trophy. Mrs Nightingale, 38, said she had not allowed herself to hope her husband would be home for Christmas with her and their daughters Mara, five, and Alys, two.  She said: “It can only be good for all the troops out there fighting for our country to see justice has been done.” During yesterday’s two-hour hearing, the judges considered separately whether or not to allow the solider to appeal against his conviction, and whether or not to amend his sentence. They decided in his favour and his appeal against the conviction will be heard at a later date. The court also heard a character reference from Sgt Nightingale’s former commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Williams, who said he stood out among his comrades as an educated and caring man who had put his own life at risk numerous times and had saved many others. William Clegg, QC, representing Sgt Nightingale, admitted his client had committed “serious offences” but argued that the soldier was advised to plead guilty at his trial because his lawyers were led to believe that might attract a lenient sentence.  He said: “An indication of how the public might interpret his duty and service while in the Army is perhaps reflected by a petition of 107,000 names … [it reflects] the esteem with which [the SAS] is held by the country and the consciousness of its service.  “If ever there was an exceptional case where an immediate period of detention was not necessary, this is it.”