An SAS soldier detained for 18 months for illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition has won his freedom at the Court of Appeal.
Sgt Danny Nightingale, 37, from Crewe, admitted possessing the 9mm Glock pistol and 338 rounds of ammunition at a court martial earlier this month.
Judges at the Court of Appeal reduced Nightingale's sentence to 12 months.
However, they suspended the sentence and said he could be released immediately.
The weapons and ammunition were recovered by police from Nightingale's Army accommodation near Hereford.
Nightingale's wife Sally, 38, cried when the verdict was delivered and when asked if she was "thrilled" she nodded.
Before the appeal hearing in London, she said over 106,000 people had signed a petition calling for her husband to be released.
Last edited by airpolice; 29th Nov 2012 at 16:03.