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Soldier admits stealing bullets Soldier admits stealing bullets
(about 4 hours later)
A judge has called on the Army to tighten its procedures after a soldier admitted stealing ammunition after a Northern Ireland training exercise.A judge has called on the Army to tighten its procedures after a soldier admitted stealing ammunition after a Northern Ireland training exercise.
Pte Christopher Trussler, 29, admitted illegally possessing and stealing 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition on May 24.Pte Christopher Trussler, 29, admitted illegally possessing and stealing 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition on May 24.
Trussler has been suspended from the Prince of Wales's Royal Regiment at Baker Barracks in Thorney Island, West Sussex, Chichester Crown Court heard.Trussler has been suspended from the Prince of Wales's Royal Regiment at Baker Barracks in Thorney Island, West Sussex, Chichester Crown Court heard.
He was remanded in custody to await sentence on 10 September.He was remanded in custody to await sentence on 10 September.
The court was told Trussler was arrested after an undercover operation involving Scotland Yard's Operation Trident, which combats gun crime in the black community.The court was told Trussler was arrested after an undercover operation involving Scotland Yard's Operation Trident, which combats gun crime in the black community.
The prospect that an amount of ammunition is floating about isn't going to fill most of us with joy and happiness Judge Anthony Thorpe 'Real concern'
He was detained after trying to sell the bullets.He was detained after trying to sell the bullets.
Judge Anthony Thorpe raised concerns about army procedures after hearing that Trussler kept the ammunition following a training exercise in Northern Ireland then tried to sell it.Judge Anthony Thorpe raised concerns about army procedures after hearing that Trussler kept the ammunition following a training exercise in Northern Ireland then tried to sell it.
Judge Thorpe said: "This is a matter for real concern.Judge Thorpe said: "This is a matter for real concern.
"If the Army's control of live ammunition on the face of it is that lax, one wishes to hear about it, as I would expect at the end of a training exercise weapons or ammunition should be accounted for."If the Army's control of live ammunition on the face of it is that lax, one wishes to hear about it, as I would expect at the end of a training exercise weapons or ammunition should be accounted for.
"I think the Army should consider very carefully how they approach matters in the future. The Ministry of Defence takes any incidents involving the loss of equipment or ammunition very seriously Ministry of Defence "I think the Army should consider very carefully how they approach matters in the future.
"In the current climate with the difficulties of weapons, the prospect that an amount of ammunition is floating about isn't going to fill most of us with joy and happiness.""In the current climate with the difficulties of weapons, the prospect that an amount of ammunition is floating about isn't going to fill most of us with joy and happiness."
Judge Thorpe, who served in the Navy, also demanded to know how Trussler had been allowed to stay in the Army despite a string of convictions.Judge Thorpe, who served in the Navy, also demanded to know how Trussler had been allowed to stay in the Army despite a string of convictions.
The Ministry of Defence issued a statement following the judge's comments.
It read: "We will take careful note of the judge's comments in this case and examine what can be done to further improve procedures for the accounting of weapons and ammunition.
"The Ministry of Defence takes any incidents involving the loss of equipment or ammunition very seriously and these are always thoroughly investigated."
Previous convictionsPrevious convictions
The court heard that Trussler had convictions dating back to 1996 when he committed two offences of theft.The court heard that Trussler had convictions dating back to 1996 when he committed two offences of theft.
In 1997 he was convicted of a burglary, in 2000 of an offence of drunk and disorderly behaviour, in 2004 of making a false statement of benefits, in 2006 of obstructing an officer and in 2007 of drink driving.In 1997 he was convicted of a burglary, in 2000 of an offence of drunk and disorderly behaviour, in 2004 of making a false statement of benefits, in 2006 of obstructing an officer and in 2007 of drink driving.
"As an ex-serving officer I would ask how he remained in the armed forces," said the judge."As an ex-serving officer I would ask how he remained in the armed forces," said the judge.
Charles Ward-Jackson, defending, said Trussler had not meant to steal the bullets.Charles Ward-Jackson, defending, said Trussler had not meant to steal the bullets.
"He didn't deliberately take the ammunition from Northern Ireland, he came into possession of it quite legitimately as a result of a training exercise," he said."He didn't deliberately take the ammunition from Northern Ireland, he came into possession of it quite legitimately as a result of a training exercise," he said.
"He forgot he had it on him then tried to sell it on.""He forgot he had it on him then tried to sell it on."
But William Emerson, prosecuting, told the court that a soldier is expected to declare any leftover ammunition at the end of a training session and that this was a matter of trust.But William Emerson, prosecuting, told the court that a soldier is expected to declare any leftover ammunition at the end of a training session and that this was a matter of trust.
Trussler was arrested by anti gun-crime officers after an investigation into the sale of bullets in the Chichester area.Trussler was arrested by anti gun-crime officers after an investigation into the sale of bullets in the Chichester area.
It is believed the soldier's crime came to light as a result of a tip-off to police.It is believed the soldier's crime came to light as a result of a tip-off to police.