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British holidaymaker pleads guilty to killing UK soldier in Cyprus | British holidaymaker pleads guilty to killing UK soldier in Cyprus |
(17 days later) | |
A British tourist has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a UK soldier in Cyprus. | A British tourist has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a UK soldier in Cyprus. |
Fusilier David Lee Collins, 19, from Manchester, was stabbed to death after a fight broke out in a nightclub in the popular resort of Ayia Napa, last November. | Fusilier David Lee Collins, 19, from Manchester, was stabbed to death after a fight broke out in a nightclub in the popular resort of Ayia Napa, last November. |
Mohammed Abdulkadir Osman, 19, reportedly from London, admitted manslaughter at a court hearing in Larnaca, said Photini Larcou, registrar of the court, on Monday. | Mohammed Abdulkadir Osman, 19, reportedly from London, admitted manslaughter at a court hearing in Larnaca, said Photini Larcou, registrar of the court, on Monday. |
She added that two other British teenagers were acquitted of all charges. The three accused had also faced charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of a knife and possession and use of a controlled substance. | She added that two other British teenagers were acquitted of all charges. The three accused had also faced charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of a knife and possession and use of a controlled substance. |
Osman will remain in police custody until sentencing, which is due to take place on 15 May. Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life in prison under Cypriot law. | Osman will remain in police custody until sentencing, which is due to take place on 15 May. Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life in prison under Cypriot law. |
Collins, from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was said to have been stationed at an army base in the Dhekelia area of the island. | Collins, from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was said to have been stationed at an army base in the Dhekelia area of the island. |
He was off duty with three other soldiers when they became involved in a brawl with three British holidaymakers in the early hours of the morning. He was stabbed the day before he was due to fly out to Afghanistan. | He was off duty with three other soldiers when they became involved in a brawl with three British holidaymakers in the early hours of the morning. He was stabbed the day before he was due to fly out to Afghanistan. |
Police investigators had said Osman initially told them he stabbed Collins in self-defence after four off-duty soldiers attacked him and his friends inside the nightclub. Osman had said he didn't mean to hurt the soldier and was sorry for what happened. | Police investigators had said Osman initially told them he stabbed Collins in self-defence after four off-duty soldiers attacked him and his friends inside the nightclub. Osman had said he didn't mean to hurt the soldier and was sorry for what happened. |
At a hearing at Famagusta district court in November, Osman admitted there had been a previous altercation between the off-duty soldiers and the trio before the fatal fight occurred in the Black & White nightclub. | At a hearing at Famagusta district court in November, Osman admitted there had been a previous altercation between the off-duty soldiers and the trio before the fatal fight occurred in the Black & White nightclub. |
A police search of Osman's hotel room at the time found marijuana, two brass knuckles and 11 switchblade knives that the suspect said he bought from a local shop and had planned to take back to give to friends. | A police search of Osman's hotel room at the time found marijuana, two brass knuckles and 11 switchblade knives that the suspect said he bought from a local shop and had planned to take back to give to friends. |
Connie Pierce, a British military spokeswoman, speaking in November, said the attack took place in an area of the eastern Mediterranean island that British soldiers are told to avoid because of previous incidents. | Connie Pierce, a British military spokeswoman, speaking in November, said the attack took place in an area of the eastern Mediterranean island that British soldiers are told to avoid because of previous incidents. |
After the rape and murder of Danish tour guide Louise Jensen by British servicemen in 1994, the centre of Ayia Napa was declared off-limits to soldiers by military top brass on the island – a clubbing resort with a reputation for sex, drugs and violence. | After the rape and murder of Danish tour guide Louise Jensen by British servicemen in 1994, the centre of Ayia Napa was declared off-limits to soldiers by military top brass on the island – a clubbing resort with a reputation for sex, drugs and violence. |
About 3,000 UK military personnel are stationed in Cyprus at bases retained after the former British colony gained independence in 1960. | About 3,000 UK military personnel are stationed in Cyprus at bases retained after the former British colony gained independence in 1960. |
In 2008, nine British soldiers went on trial accused of trashing a pub and beating up its owner during a mass bar brawl on the island. The servicemen, who were celebrating finishing tours of Iraq and Afghanistan and coming home to the UK, were all acquitted. | In 2008, nine British soldiers went on trial accused of trashing a pub and beating up its owner during a mass bar brawl on the island. The servicemen, who were celebrating finishing tours of Iraq and Afghanistan and coming home to the UK, were all acquitted. |
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