Menu
01/08/2008
British Servicemen Cleared Of Cyprus Brawl
Nine British soliders who had just finished a front-line tour of duty have been acquitted of starting a brawl at a resort in Cyprus.
The servicemen had been celebrating the end of dangerous postings to Iraq and Afghanistan and were set to return to the UK when the "mass brawl" broke out at the Bedrock Inn, Ayia Napa, on February 2.
Tables, chairs and bottles flew as soldiers clashed with locals, leaving four people - two soldiers, the bar owner and a local - injured.
The owner of Bedrock Bar, Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, told the court that 20 soldiers "smashed everything in sight" and that a chair was broken over his head.
It has not been established what initially caused the fracas on the night in question, but it is understood that one individual who came under attack almost lost his eyesight.
Chief Constable Thansis Loizou of Famagusta CID told the court that he was "sure" the accused were responsible.
However, Judge Elias Georgiou delivered 'not guilty' verdicts against all nine soldiers from the 2nd Royal Regiment of Fusiliers at Famagusta District Court.
Fusilier William Sewell, 21, from Manchester, was cleared of grievous bodily harm, malicious damage and breach of the peace.
Fusiliers David Ramage, 21, from Manchester and Daniel Brayne, 22, from Birmingham, were cleared of charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm as well as malicious damage and breach of the peace.
Fusiliers Damien Heywood, 27, Andy Evans, 21, and Dean Rushton, 21, all from Manchester, Gary Farrell, 23, from Newcastle upon Tyne, Christopher Wenham, 19, from London and Ashley Hughes, 19, from Birmingham, were each acquitted of malicious damage and breach of the peace.
Captain Nick Ulvert, a spokesman for British Forces in Cyprus said the verdict was "fantastic news".
"We are absolutely delighted. It has been a long process and a huge pressure," he added.
Captain Ulvert said that the soldiers had been disciplined for visiting the Bedrock Bar, which is "out of bounds".
It is understood there have been "simmering" tensions between British soldiers and locals for some time in Ayia Napa.
The soldiers will now be allowed to rejoin their units in the UK, which are currently on guard duty at royal residences.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "We extend our sympathies to those affected by this incident."
He said the conclusion of the case meant that the Army could consider if "internal administrative action" should follow.
Central Ayia Napa was ruled off-limits to British servicemen after the rape and murder of Danish tour guide Louise Jensen by soldiers in 1994.
Three British soldiers were found guilty of killing the young Danish woman who was working as a tour operator in Cyprus in what was described as one of the most brutal crimes the island has known.
Louise Jensen was so disfigured by the attack that she had to be identified by her rings.
The court was told how in September 1994 the soldiers, all Royal Green Jackets, had abducted Louise Jensen, 23, after a drunken binge in a nearby resort. They knocked her off her boyfriend's motor bike, bundled her into their vehicle and repeatedly sexually assaulted her, before burying her "in panic".
The three soldiers convicted served 12 years in prison for the crime.
(DS)
The servicemen had been celebrating the end of dangerous postings to Iraq and Afghanistan and were set to return to the UK when the "mass brawl" broke out at the Bedrock Inn, Ayia Napa, on February 2.
Tables, chairs and bottles flew as soldiers clashed with locals, leaving four people - two soldiers, the bar owner and a local - injured.
The owner of Bedrock Bar, Kyriakos Hadjiyiannis, told the court that 20 soldiers "smashed everything in sight" and that a chair was broken over his head.
It has not been established what initially caused the fracas on the night in question, but it is understood that one individual who came under attack almost lost his eyesight.
Chief Constable Thansis Loizou of Famagusta CID told the court that he was "sure" the accused were responsible.
However, Judge Elias Georgiou delivered 'not guilty' verdicts against all nine soldiers from the 2nd Royal Regiment of Fusiliers at Famagusta District Court.
Fusilier William Sewell, 21, from Manchester, was cleared of grievous bodily harm, malicious damage and breach of the peace.
Fusiliers David Ramage, 21, from Manchester and Daniel Brayne, 22, from Birmingham, were cleared of charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm as well as malicious damage and breach of the peace.
Fusiliers Damien Heywood, 27, Andy Evans, 21, and Dean Rushton, 21, all from Manchester, Gary Farrell, 23, from Newcastle upon Tyne, Christopher Wenham, 19, from London and Ashley Hughes, 19, from Birmingham, were each acquitted of malicious damage and breach of the peace.
Captain Nick Ulvert, a spokesman for British Forces in Cyprus said the verdict was "fantastic news".
"We are absolutely delighted. It has been a long process and a huge pressure," he added.
Captain Ulvert said that the soldiers had been disciplined for visiting the Bedrock Bar, which is "out of bounds".
It is understood there have been "simmering" tensions between British soldiers and locals for some time in Ayia Napa.
The soldiers will now be allowed to rejoin their units in the UK, which are currently on guard duty at royal residences.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "We extend our sympathies to those affected by this incident."
He said the conclusion of the case meant that the Army could consider if "internal administrative action" should follow.
Central Ayia Napa was ruled off-limits to British servicemen after the rape and murder of Danish tour guide Louise Jensen by soldiers in 1994.
Three British soldiers were found guilty of killing the young Danish woman who was working as a tour operator in Cyprus in what was described as one of the most brutal crimes the island has known.
Louise Jensen was so disfigured by the attack that she had to be identified by her rings.
The court was told how in September 1994 the soldiers, all Royal Green Jackets, had abducted Louise Jensen, 23, after a drunken binge in a nearby resort. They knocked her off her boyfriend's motor bike, bundled her into their vehicle and repeatedly sexually assaulted her, before burying her "in panic".
The three soldiers convicted served 12 years in prison for the crime.
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 September 2007
Two British Soldiers Killed Are Named
Two British soldiers killed in an explosion in Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence. Private Ben Ford, 18, and Private Damian Wright, 23, were both from the 2nd Battallion The Mercian Regiment. They were taking part in a routine reassurance patrol when the WMIK Landrover vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion.
Two British Soldiers Killed Are Named
Two British soldiers killed in an explosion in Afghanistan have been named by the Ministry of Defence. Private Ben Ford, 18, and Private Damian Wright, 23, were both from the 2nd Battallion The Mercian Regiment. They were taking part in a routine reassurance patrol when the WMIK Landrover vehicle they were travelling in was caught in an explosion.
01 August 2006
Three British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Three British soldiers have been killed in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. A fourth soldier was seriously injured. The MoD said that the troops were part of the 4,000-strong Nato-led International Security Assistance Force on patrol in the volatile Helmand Province around 0630 GMT when they were attacked.
Three British soldiers killed in Afghanistan
Three British soldiers have been killed in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. A fourth soldier was seriously injured. The MoD said that the troops were part of the 4,000-strong Nato-led International Security Assistance Force on patrol in the volatile Helmand Province around 0630 GMT when they were attacked.
28 September 2004
Two soldiers killed in southern Iraq
Two British soldiers have died following an ambush outside the town of Basra in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Soldiers came under fire as they tried to rescue others from an armoured Land Rover which had been hit by a rocket-propelled grenade at around 0615BST.
Two soldiers killed in southern Iraq
Two British soldiers have died following an ambush outside the town of Basra in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed. Soldiers came under fire as they tried to rescue others from an armoured Land Rover which had been hit by a rocket-propelled grenade at around 0615BST.
12 October 2015
Man, 21, Killed In Bar Stabbing
A 21-year-old has been stabbed to death at a bar in north-west London. The incident happened in front of dozens of customers at the RE bar in Eastcote at around 1.10am on Sunday, 11 October. The victim, who has been named as Josh Hanson, from Kingsbury in the city, received a stab wound to the neck. He died at the scene.
Man, 21, Killed In Bar Stabbing
A 21-year-old has been stabbed to death at a bar in north-west London. The incident happened in front of dozens of customers at the RE bar in Eastcote at around 1.10am on Sunday, 11 October. The victim, who has been named as Josh Hanson, from Kingsbury in the city, received a stab wound to the neck. He died at the scene.
01 May 2013
Three British Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan
Three British soldiers have died in a roadside bomb attack in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence said the soldiers were killed after their Mastiff armoured vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. They were on a routine patrol in the district of Nahr-e Saraj.
Three British Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan
Three British soldiers have died in a roadside bomb attack in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence said the soldiers were killed after their Mastiff armoured vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. They were on a routine patrol in the district of Nahr-e Saraj.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
