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British soldier admits war crime British soldier admits war crime
(30 minutes later)
A British soldier has pleaded guilty to the war crime of inhumanely treating Iraqi civilians. A British soldier has become the first to admit to a war crime after pleading guilty to inhumanely treating Iraqi civilians, at a court martial.
Cpl Donald Payne, 35, of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, pleaded guilty to the charge at the start of a court martial of seven UK soldiers. Cpl Donald Payne, 35, of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, pleaded guilty to the charge at the start of a court martial involving seven UK soldiers.
Cpl Payne denies manslaughter and perverting the course of justice. But Cpl Payne denied manslaughter and perverting the course of justice.
Six other soldiers have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the death of Iraqi Baha Mousa, 26, while he was in custody in Basra in 2003. Six others have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the death of Baha Mousa, 26, in custody in Basra in 2003.
The charges also relate to the alleged ill-treatment of other detainees.The charges also relate to the alleged ill-treatment of other detainees.
The inhumane treatment of persons charge faced by three of the soldiers - including Cpl Payne - is being brought as a war crime under the International Criminal Court Act (ICCA) 2001. Legal first
Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, was among a group of detainees arrested following a planned operation.
The crime admitted by Cpl Payne took place between 13 September and 16 September 2003.
L/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft, 22, and Pte Darren Fallon, 23 - both also of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment - also deny the same charge of inhumane treatment.
The inhumane treatment of persons charge faced by the three is being brought as a war crime under the International Criminal Court Act (ICCA) 2001.
The court martial, at the Military Court Centre at Bulford Camp on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, is the first time British military personnel have been prosecuted under the act.The court martial, at the Military Court Centre at Bulford Camp on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, is the first time British military personnel have been prosecuted under the act.
All other charges against Cpl Payne and his co-defendants are being brought under the British Army Act 1955. All other charges against the men are being brought under the British Army Act 1955.
Sgt Kelvin Stacey, 29, of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm with an alternative count of common assault.
Maj Michael Peebles, 35, and Warrant Officer Mark Davies, 37, both of the Intelligence Corps, face charges of negligently performing a duty.
And Col Jorge Mendonca, 42, formerly commander of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment - which is now renamed as the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment - is charged with negligently performing his duties.