Grieving father's anger at 'joke' trial

A GRIEVING dad has branded an Army court martial "a joke" after a soldier in charge of an exercise when his teenage son was shot dead was fined just pounds 1,400.

Alun Richards's son Wayne was hit in the head and shoulder during a mock battle.

Corporal David Maslan unknowingly loaded his SA80 rifle with live ammunition and shot 12 bullets, two of which hit the 17-year-old Royal Marine recruit.

Wayne, of Cwmavon, Port Talbot, was based at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, when the tragedy happened in 2000. His dad, a 45-year-old steel worker, said: "This punishment is a joke and I still want justice."

The court martial in Colchester, Essex, heard how Captain Gareth Pearson, 28, carried a rifle and live ammunition in the event of a real attack. He failed to follow safety rules when he handed over the rifle.

Judge Advocate Jack Bayliss told Capt Pearson that while Wayne's death had not been directly due to his negligence, he had "failed to comply "with essential rules". No charges have been brought against Corporal Maslan.

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