.Iraq soldier fined after guns find
A SOLDIER found with illegal guns was spared a prison term yesterday after a judge was told of his brave exploits in Iraq.
Sgt David Llewellyn, 41, was fined £1,500 after police found weapons in his home when he returned to Britain.
But a judge decided not to jail him for firearms offences which would have meant him being booted out of the Army – after hearing he was “irreplaceable”
The court heard Llewellyn saved lives while under fire in Basra, rescuing 26 members of his battalion, the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment.
Police found a revolver, pistol and eight rounds of ammunition at his home in Cathays, Cardiff, after a tip-off. The court heard that the tip-off came from a disgruntled ex-boyfriend of his daughter.
The court heard he had kept the weapons at home for several years but intended to have the pistol put in a display case in his mess.
His lawyer Timothy Evans told Cardiff Crown Court, “He has recently returned from active service in Iraq. The Army consider Mr Llewellyn a war hero. He has been mortared virtually every day. He is a professional soldier who has given many years of service to his country.
“If he goes to prison he will lose his pension and be discharged from the Army.”
Major Michael Hooley, of the battalion, told the court in a letter, “He went out night after night in Basra evacuating injured soldiers as quickly as possible. He has saved lives in the face of insurgent guns.”
The court heard that, in addition to three tours of duty in Iraq, Llewellyn had served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland during his 14 years in the Army.
The court heard he now faces an Army disciplinary hearing where he is likely to be reduced in rank.
Llewellyn admitted possessing a revolver and a pistol and eight rounds of ammunition without a certificate and stealing ammunition from a firing range.
ICWales
Those wacky Brits
Sgt David Llewellyn, 41, was fined £1,500 after police found weapons in his home when he returned to Britain.
But a judge decided not to jail him for firearms offences which would have meant him being booted out of the Army – after hearing he was “irreplaceable”
The court heard Llewellyn saved lives while under fire in Basra, rescuing 26 members of his battalion, the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment.
Police found a revolver, pistol and eight rounds of ammunition at his home in Cathays, Cardiff, after a tip-off. The court heard that the tip-off came from a disgruntled ex-boyfriend of his daughter.
The court heard he had kept the weapons at home for several years but intended to have the pistol put in a display case in his mess.
His lawyer Timothy Evans told Cardiff Crown Court, “He has recently returned from active service in Iraq. The Army consider Mr Llewellyn a war hero. He has been mortared virtually every day. He is a professional soldier who has given many years of service to his country.
“If he goes to prison he will lose his pension and be discharged from the Army.”
Major Michael Hooley, of the battalion, told the court in a letter, “He went out night after night in Basra evacuating injured soldiers as quickly as possible. He has saved lives in the face of insurgent guns.”
The court heard that, in addition to three tours of duty in Iraq, Llewellyn had served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Northern Ireland during his 14 years in the Army.
The court heard he now faces an Army disciplinary hearing where he is likely to be reduced in rank.
Llewellyn admitted possessing a revolver and a pistol and eight rounds of ammunition without a certificate and stealing ammunition from a firing range.
ICWales
Those wacky Brits
posted by madtom at 11:33 PM
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