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12/09/2007
Lee Clegg 'To Serve In Afghanistan'
A British soldier who was jailed for shooting dead two teenage joyriders in Belfast is to serve in Afghanistan, it has been reported.
Sergeant Lee Clegg, now 38, was jailed for life in 1993 for the murder of 18-year-old Karen Reilly and the wounding of Martin Peake, 17, who also died in the incident, in 1990.
Sgt Clegg, then a private in the Parachute Regiment, fired at the car, which was being driven by Mr Peake, as it went through a checkpoint in Belfast on September 30, 1990.
Sgt Clegg claimed that he opened fire because he feared it was an attack by terrorists. However, he was accused of using excessive force and firing a final shot into the vehicle when it was no longer a danger to himself or his colleagues.
Sgt Clegg was eventually freed on license in 1995, following a campaign by supporters, including some British newspapers, including the 'Daily Mail', who said that he was merely doing his job in difficult circumstances.
He was cleared of Miss Reilly's murder at a retrial in 1999 and the wounding of Mr Peake the following year.
'The Daily Mail' reported on Wednesday that Sgt Clegg, who is originally from Bradford, was due to be deployed to Afghanistan next year as a combat medic with 2 Para.
If he is deployed, it is thought that it will be the first time that he has been sent to a combat zone since his release from prison.
The Ministry of Defence has declined to comment on the movements of individual soldiers.
(KMcA/SP)
Sergeant Lee Clegg, now 38, was jailed for life in 1993 for the murder of 18-year-old Karen Reilly and the wounding of Martin Peake, 17, who also died in the incident, in 1990.
Sgt Clegg, then a private in the Parachute Regiment, fired at the car, which was being driven by Mr Peake, as it went through a checkpoint in Belfast on September 30, 1990.
Sgt Clegg claimed that he opened fire because he feared it was an attack by terrorists. However, he was accused of using excessive force and firing a final shot into the vehicle when it was no longer a danger to himself or his colleagues.
Sgt Clegg was eventually freed on license in 1995, following a campaign by supporters, including some British newspapers, including the 'Daily Mail', who said that he was merely doing his job in difficult circumstances.
He was cleared of Miss Reilly's murder at a retrial in 1999 and the wounding of Mr Peake the following year.
'The Daily Mail' reported on Wednesday that Sgt Clegg, who is originally from Bradford, was due to be deployed to Afghanistan next year as a combat medic with 2 Para.
If he is deployed, it is thought that it will be the first time that he has been sent to a combat zone since his release from prison.
The Ministry of Defence has declined to comment on the movements of individual soldiers.
(KMcA/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy morning with outbreaks of rain, heavy for a time, clearing east by midday. Then sunny spells with scattered showers through the afternoon, mostly around the north coast. Maximum temperature 9 °C.Tonight:Largely dry with clear spells at first, a few showers in the north and west. Becoming cloudier with rain spreading east through the early hours. Strong winds developing, coastal gales. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
