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Soldiers cleared of Cyprus brawl Soldiers cleared of Cyprus brawl
(20 minutes 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.
'Hid in toilet''Hid in toilet'
Judge Elias Georgiou acquitted the servicemen at Famagusta District Court in Paralimni.Judge Elias Georgiou acquitted the servicemen at Famagusta District Court in Paralimni.
The Bedrock Inn bar is "out of bounds" for military personnel because of previous violent incidents. The Bedrock Inn bar is "out of bounds" for military personnel because of previous violent incidents.The Bedrock Inn had been out of bounds to UK forces
Its owner, Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, told the court that 20 soldiers threw bottles, attacked staff and smashed everything in sight.Its owner, 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.
Not guilty
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.
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.