Soldier killed by single gunshot

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An inquest into the death of a soldier in Afghanistan has heard he was killed by a single enemy gunshot.

Acting Sgt Sean Binnie, 22, who served with the Black Watch 3rd battalion, was killed on a patrol in Helmand province in May last year.

Relatives travelled from Aberdeen to Trowbridge in Wiltshire to attend the inquest into his death.

Acting Sgt Binnie had married just a few months before his death. He had joined the Army in 2003.

His family said they knew the inquest would be a traumatic experience, but it was something they had to do.

He died in a battle with insurgents near Musa Qala in Helmand province on 7 May.

The fatal round was fired by enemy forces immediately before they were killed themselves by the grenade that Sean was throwing David RidleyCoroner

Swindon and Wiltshire coroner David Ridley told the inquest Acting Sgt Binnie came under attack while trying to clear a compound.

He said: "Sean threw a grenade into the doorway and moved quickly back towards cover but then collapsed."

He had been shot in the chest by an AK-47 assault rifle.

Mr Ridley added: "The fatal round was fired by enemy forces immediately before they were killed themselves by the grenade that Sean was throwing."

The bullet entered the right side of his chest through the soft part of his body armour, Trowbridge Coroner's Court heard.

We are so proud of him. He will always be in my heart Janette BinnieActing Sgt Binnie's mother

He was flown to Camp Bastion hospital where he was pronounced dead on the same day.

Mr Ridley recorded a verdict that Acting Sgt Binnie was unlawfully killed while on active service in Afghanistan.

His mother Janette paid tribute to him outside the inquest.

She said: "He set himself goals and achieved them right through.

"Sean always wanted to join the Army. He always told his dad he would be a better soldier and go further than him, which he did.

"He said - 'I will show you what a soldier is all about'. We are so proud of him. He will always be in my heart, he will never leave me."

Mr Ridley read out statements in tribute to the soldier, who retains the status of sergeant posthumously.

Lt Col Simon Banton, commanding officer of the mentoring and liaison battle group, said: "At every moment he displayed professionalism and purpose. He was calm under fire and dedicated to the soldiers in his team."