Gurkha murder charges dropped

David Zabaneh was the son of a prominent businessman in Belize

Murder charges have been dropped against three Gurkha soldiers who were facing a court martial in connection with the death of a teenage boy.

Riflemen Durgahang Limbu, 27, Yograj Rai, 23 and Ramesh Rai, 24, had faced murder charges over the death of 14-year-old David Zabaneh, in Central America.

But on Tuesday during a military hearing at the Colchester Garrison in Essex the charges were changed to violent disorder following a review of the evidence.

All three men have pleaded not guilty to the new charges.

David Zabaneh died after being caught up in a brawl in a nightclub involving Gurkhas in Belize in May 2001.

Tuesday's hearing was adjourned and will start again in Belize on 18 November.

The three soldiers, who were based at Colchester two years ago, were in Belize taking part in the 16 Air Assault Brigade's jungle training at the time of the teenager's death.