Soldier had 'a moment of madness' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Soldier had 'a moment of madness'

WAR service in Iraq won a softer sentence for Gulf veteran Matthew Bird at a court martial on Salisbury Plain.

He was told the long delay in his case being heard, because of two operational tours there, was a factor in the court's being more lenient.

Lance-Corporal Bird was told he would not be given detention or lose rank.

Instead, the NCO, based at Bulford Camp with 3 UK Division HQ and Signal Regiment, was told he would be fined £1,250 and severely reprimanded.

He admitted affray and criminal damage during what was described as "a moment of madness" after a night out in Amesbury.

The "hopelessly drunk" 24-year-old directed his anger at another soldier, said to be still his best friend, following the incident in a barrack room at Bulford Camp.

Bird, who had an unblemished military record, could not remember anything of what happened.

But next day he bought filler and paint and voluntarily repaired damage to a wall caused when he stabbed it with a knife.