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Yorkshire Regiment soldiers jailed for sit-in protest | Yorkshire Regiment soldiers jailed for sit-in protest |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Fifteen soldiers have been jailed after a court martial for staging a "sit-in" in protest at being "led by muppets". | 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. |
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' | 'Not appreciated' |
The soldiers complained of being "led by muppets", the court martial heard. | The soldiers complained of being "led by muppets", the court martial heard. |
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". | 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". |
The court heard a captain and sergeant apparently got drunk before a lengthy training march in the Brecon Beacons last winter. | The court heard a captain and sergeant apparently got drunk before a lengthy training march in the Brecon Beacons last winter. |
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. | 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. |
Tensions came to a head at the end of a training exercise in Kenya in February, when 16 soldiers decided to protest. | 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. | 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' | '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. | 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. | 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 40 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. | An Army spokesman said it was "not appropriate" to comment on the sentencing. |