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Junior ranks prosecution 'unfair' Iraq abuse prosecution 'unfair'
(30 minutes later)
A barrister has told a court it is "unfair" that a British serviceman has been accused of far more serious offences than his commanding officers. A barrister representing a soldier who abused Iraqi prisoners said it was "deeply unfair" his client's commanding officers faced lesser charges.
Corporal Donald Payne, 35, is the first British serviceman to be convicted of a war crime after admitted treating Iraqi civilian detainees inhumanely. Corporal Donald Payne, 35, has admitted treating Iraqi civilian detainees inhumanely but denies manslaughter.
Cpl Payne denies the manslaughter of one prisoner and a third matter of perverting the course of justice. His lawyer said it was "deeply unattractive" that Cpl Payne's senior officers faced the lesser charge of negligently performing their duties.
A court martial involving seven troops is being held at Bulford Camp, Wilts.A court martial involving seven troops is being held at Bulford Camp, Wilts.
Two other soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, L/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft, 22, and Pte Darren Fallon, 23 - deny the charge of inhumane treatment.Two other soldiers from the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, L/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft, 22, and Pte Darren Fallon, 23 - deny the charge of inhumane treatment.
Three more senior soldiers, including former regimental commander Colonel Jorge Mendonca, face a charge of negligently performing a duty - that of failing to ensure nine Iraqi detainees were not ill-treated.Three more senior soldiers, including former regimental commander Colonel Jorge Mendonca, face a charge of negligently performing a duty - that of failing to ensure nine Iraqi detainees were not ill-treated.
The charges relate to the death of Baha Mousa, 26, in custody in Basra in 2003 and also the alleged ill-treatment of other detainees.The charges relate to the death of Baha Mousa, 26, in custody in Basra in 2003 and also the alleged ill-treatment of other detainees.
Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, was among a group of detainees arrested following a counter-insurgency operation.Mr Mousa, a hotel receptionist, was among a group of detainees arrested following a counter-insurgency operation.
CHARGES IN FULL Cpl Donald Payne - manslaughter, inhumane treatment of persons, perverting the course of justiceL/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft - inhumane treatment of personsPte Darren Fallon - inhumane treatment of personsSgt Kelvin Stacey - actual bodily harm, alternatively assaultWarrant Officer Mark Davies - negligently performing a dutyMaj Michael Peebles - negligently performing a dutyCol Jorge Mendonca - negligently performing a dutyCHARGES IN FULL Cpl Donald Payne - manslaughter, inhumane treatment of persons, perverting the course of justiceL/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft - inhumane treatment of personsPte Darren Fallon - inhumane treatment of personsSgt Kelvin Stacey - actual bodily harm, alternatively assaultWarrant Officer Mark Davies - negligently performing a dutyMaj Michael Peebles - negligently performing a dutyCol Jorge Mendonca - negligently performing a duty
On Monday, Tim Owen QC, representing Cpl Payne, told the court martial's seven-man judging board: "You may think that there is something deeply unattractive, deeply unfair about a prosecution which applies one set of rules to the junior ranks - those operating at the sharp end - and a different set of rules to those higher up the chain of command. Cpl Payne, who also denies perverting the course of justice, is the first British serviceman to be convicted of a war crime.
"To be guilty of a criminal offence such as inhuman treatment, it is not necessary to be the person who actually does the act which constitutes inhuman treatment, whether striking a prisoner or requiring him to maintain a stress position. On Monday, Tim Owen QC, representing Cpl Payne, told the court martial's seven-man judging board: "You may think that there is something deeply unattractive, deeply unfair about a prosecution which applies one set of rules to the junior ranks - those operating at the sharp end - and a different set of rules to those higher up the chain of command."
"Criminal liability extends to persons known as secondary parties, anyone who aids, abets, counsels or procures the unlawful conduct." To be guilty does not necessarily mean being the one who commits the act but could mean aiding or abetting it, he added.
But, he went on, Colonel Mendonca, Major Michael Peebles, Warrant Officer Mark Davies and three other officers not on trial "have somehow avoided the charge of inflicting inhuman treatment." He said Colonel Mendonca, Major Michael Peebles, Warrant Officer Mark Davies and three other officers not on trial had escaped the stronger charge and three individuals had been singled out.
"Instead, in relation to the inhuman treatment allegation, just three individuals have been singled out." He said Cpl Payne now accepted he used force - kicks, punches, slaps - but his lies previously in interview "were a result of the belief that he was being unfairly singled out".
Timothy Langdale QC, defence for Colonel Mendonca said his client - who was later awarded a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his gallant conduct in Iraq - had only been charged in "hindsight", 22 months after the alleged abuse.
Mr Langdale said the colonel, in fraught circumstances, could not have been expected to know exactly what his men were doing all the time.
Charge listCharge list
The inhumane treatment of persons charge faced by Cpl Payne, L/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft and Pte Darren Fallon, is being brought as a war crime charge under the International Criminal Court Act (ICCA) 2001.The inhumane treatment of persons charge faced by Cpl Payne, L/Cpl Wayne Crowcroft and Pte Darren Fallon, is being brought as a war crime charge 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.
The charge of inhumane treatment already existed in normal British military law before the Act was introduced in 2001.
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.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.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.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.