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Yorkshire Regiment soldiers jailed for sit-in protest Yorkshire Regiment soldiers jailed for sit-in protest
(about 1 hour later)
Fifteen soldiers have been jailed after a court martial for staging a 'sit-in' protest against two senior officers. Fifteen soldiers have been jailed after a court martial for staging a "sit-in" in protest at being "led by muppets".
The men from the 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment sat on the floor when ordered to stand to attention.The men from the 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment sat on the floor when ordered to stand to attention.
The protest by 16 soldiers was sparked by grievances with their captain and colour sergeant. It took place in February while on exercise in Kenya.The protest by 16 soldiers was sparked by grievances with their captain and colour sergeant. It took place in February while on exercise in Kenya.
Fifteen were sentenced to detention, one of whom was dismissed from the Army. A 16th was also dismissed.Fifteen were sentenced to detention, one of whom was dismissed from the Army. A 16th was also dismissed.
60 days detention All the soldiers pleaded guilty to disobeying a lawful command - an offence that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment.
All the soldiers pleaded guilty to disobeying a lawful command - an offence that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment. 'Not appreciated'
The troops told the court their protest was linked to grievances with the officer and sergeant stemming from a previous training exercise in the Brecon Beacons. The soldiers complained of being "led by muppets", the court martial heard.
A corporal, said to be the ringleader, was stripped of his rank, dismissed from the Army and sentenced to 60 days detention. The prosecutor at the court martial said members of the platoon had been seething at the way they were being managed, and felt that they were "not appreciated".
Two lance corporals were reduced to privates and sentenced to 60 days detention, while a third was reduced to private and dismissed without detention. The court heard a captain and sergeant apparently got drunk before a lengthy training march in the Brecon Beacons last winter.
Twelve privates were sentenced to 60 days detention. The troops were said to have been furious at finding their two commanders asleep, rather than greeting the soldiers as they crossed the finish line.
An Army spokesman said it was "not appropriate" to comment on the sentencing but added: "All those who are found to fall short of the Army's high standards or who are found to have committed an offence under the Armed Forces Act are dealt with administratively - up to and including discharge - or through the discipline process, as appropriate." Tensions came to a head at the end of a training exercise in Kenya in February, when 16 soldiers decided to protest.
Ahead of a parade, a ringleader shouted "sit down" and members of the platoon did so. The commanders ordered each man in turn to stand up, but were ignored.
'Public protest'
Corporal Anthony Brown, said to be the ringleader, was stripped of his rank, dismissed from the Army and sentenced to 60 days' detention.
Two lance corporals were reduced to privates and sentenced to 60 days' detention, while a third was reduced to private and dismissed without detention.
Twelve privates were sentenced to 60 days' detention.
The soldiers were in the 1st Battalion at the time of the protest. However, the 1st has now become the 2nd, following Army restructuring.The soldiers were in the 1st Battalion at the time of the protest. However, the 1st has now become the 2nd, following Army restructuring.
John Wilson, a retired colonel and former editor of the British Army Review who lectures in military history, described the nature of the soldiers' protest as "unprecedented".John Wilson, a retired colonel and former editor of the British Army Review who lectures in military history, described the nature of the soldiers' protest as "unprecedented".
The sentences given to the troops at the court martial were "strong enough to make the point", added Col Wilson.The sentences given to the troops at the court martial were "strong enough to make the point", added Col Wilson.
"I don't think a corporal, whatever his grievances, can expect to orchestrate such a public protest in front of the entire battle group parade and get away with it.""I don't think a corporal, whatever his grievances, can expect to orchestrate such a public protest in front of the entire battle group parade and get away with it."
An Army spokesman said it was "not appropriate" to comment on the sentencing.