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Old 25th Jul 2013, 12:37
  #167 (permalink)  
Whenurhappy
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Here's some interesting comments from the Judge, such as being told off for criticising the system and alluding to judicial conspiracies::
Mr Blackett said the soldier's account about how the gun came to be in his room "lacked credibility".
However, he said there were "exceptional circumstances" that allowed the court to suspend the sentence "because of your exceptional character".
The judge also said that "criticism of the prosecution and the Army is unmerited and totally without foundation".
He told Nightingale: "We understand how difficult these proceedings have been for you and your family.
"However, you have brought much of that anguish upon yourself and your public assertions that you are scapegoat or the victim of some wider political agenda is absolute nonsense," he said.
"You are simply someone against whom there was a strong prima facie case of serious wrongdoing and, given the dangers to society caused by illegal firearms and their misuse, it was in the public interest to prosecute you.
"You have now had a fair trial before a civilian judge and an independent and impartial board.
"All of the issues you wished to raise and all the submissions you wished to make have been fully considered and verdicts properly given.
"It would have made no difference had you been tried before a civilian jury. The evidence against you was overwhelming and I have no doubt the verdicts would have been the same."
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