Law and Rights
On 11th November, the case of "Marine A" (as he was then to be known) was covered - Murder in Helmand. The Court Martial has imposed a sentence of life imprisonment with the minimum term of imprisonment before eligibility for parole set at 10 years (less some time on remand). The sentencing remarks of His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett are here. In addition, the Marine is to be reduced to the ranks and dismissed with disgrace from Her Majesty's service.
The sentencing remarks state that the court felt it important to send out a strong deterrent message. Service personnel who commit crimes of murder, or other war crimes or crimes against humanity while on operations will be dealt with severely. The deterrent message was also intended to reassure the international community that allegations of serious crime will be dealt with transparently and appropriately.
This message was, in the court's view, delivered by the sentence of life imprisonment (mandatory for murder). Setting the minimum term reflects the seriousness of the offence while taking account of the unique and special circumstances of the case and personal mitigation.
Interestingly, Judge Blackett also commented that the defendant had been judged by a 'Board made up of Service personnel who understand operational service because they too have experienced it. That is one of the strengths of the Court Martial system.'
An order of the Court Martial permitting the marine to be anonymous was lifted - Judiciary UK - Orders of 5th December 2013Fuller reasons are to be given at a later date - See now R v Marines A to E [2013] EWCA Crim 2367 (17th December 2013).
- A Short News Roundup
Richard III - The final resting place for the mortal remains of King Richard III may now be settled as a result of a decision by the Queen's Bench Divisional Court - R (Plantagenet Alliance Ltd) v Secretary of State for Justice [2014] EWHC 1662. ...
- Murder In Helmand
Conviction: The Court-Martial has found Marine 'A' guilty of murder of an already wounded Taliban fighter- see The Independent 8th November. Two other Marines were acquitted. The Court Martial has jurisdiction over the case...
- Murder: Crown Court At Preston ~ R V Cregan, Livesey, Gorman, Wilkinson, Ward And Ali
At the Crown Court (Preston) after a 77 day trial before Holroyde J and a jury, a sentence of imprisonment for life with a whole life term has been imposed on Dale Cregan. He is guilty of four murders (including two Police Officers in September...
- Sergeant Danny Nightingale ~ Court-martial And Sentence
Update 1st May 2013 - The Guardian reports ruling of judge that there was no abuse of process revealed by certain e-mails. Update 22nd March 2013 - R v Sgt Nightingale ? An unsolicited sentence indication by the trial Judge placed undue pressure...
- R V Iftikhar Ahmed And Farzana Ahmed
" ... your concern about being shamed in your community was greater than your love of your child ..." - Mr Justice Roderick Evans Few crimes shock as much as the murder by a parent of their child. At the Crown Court in Chester - before Mr Justice...
Law and Rights
Royal Marine sentenced for murder
The sentencing remarks state that the court felt it important to send out a strong deterrent message. Service personnel who commit crimes of murder, or other war crimes or crimes against humanity while on operations will be dealt with severely. The deterrent message was also intended to reassure the international community that allegations of serious crime will be dealt with transparently and appropriately.
This message was, in the court's view, delivered by the sentence of life imprisonment (mandatory for murder). Setting the minimum term reflects the seriousness of the offence while taking account of the unique and special circumstances of the case and personal mitigation.
Interestingly, Judge Blackett also commented that the defendant had been judged by a 'Board made up of Service personnel who understand operational service because they too have experienced it. That is one of the strengths of the Court Martial system.'
An order of the Court Martial permitting the marine to be anonymous was lifted - Judiciary UK - Orders of 5th December 2013
- A Short News Roundup
Richard III - The final resting place for the mortal remains of King Richard III may now be settled as a result of a decision by the Queen's Bench Divisional Court - R (Plantagenet Alliance Ltd) v Secretary of State for Justice [2014] EWHC 1662. ...
- Murder In Helmand
Conviction: The Court-Martial has found Marine 'A' guilty of murder of an already wounded Taliban fighter- see The Independent 8th November. Two other Marines were acquitted. The Court Martial has jurisdiction over the case...
- Murder: Crown Court At Preston ~ R V Cregan, Livesey, Gorman, Wilkinson, Ward And Ali
At the Crown Court (Preston) after a 77 day trial before Holroyde J and a jury, a sentence of imprisonment for life with a whole life term has been imposed on Dale Cregan. He is guilty of four murders (including two Police Officers in September...
- Sergeant Danny Nightingale ~ Court-martial And Sentence
Update 1st May 2013 - The Guardian reports ruling of judge that there was no abuse of process revealed by certain e-mails. Update 22nd March 2013 - R v Sgt Nightingale ? An unsolicited sentence indication by the trial Judge placed undue pressure...
- R V Iftikhar Ahmed And Farzana Ahmed
" ... your concern about being shamed in your community was greater than your love of your child ..." - Mr Justice Roderick Evans Few crimes shock as much as the murder by a parent of their child. At the Crown Court in Chester - before Mr Justice...