Bombardier could have been up for promotion (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Bombardier could have been up for promotion

CAREER soldier NCO Wayne Hayward could have been in line for promotion, a military court martial on Salisbury Plain was told.

But his prospects took a sharp pace backward after the court heard about his "isolated, opportunistic and out of character" behaviour.

Hayward, a bombardier - equivalent to corporal - was reduced to lance-corporal after admitting he stole 73.1 litres of fuel at the Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill. The 34-year-old career soldier was told much higher standards were expected from experienced NCOs such as he was.

The court at Bulford Camp heard that Hayward, a soldier for 16 years, was caught in the act after being spotted near a fuel point by a guard.