Iraqi says beating destroyed life

The hearing has been adjourned until Tuesday

An Iraqi man who claims he was beaten unconscious by British troops has told a court martial his life is destroyed.

Sougheir Khalaf Toama Il-Mahamdawi told the court, in Colchester, Essex, he had developed kidney stones after the alleged beating, in Uzayra, south Iraq.

Mr Khalaf denied lying in order to get compensation. His cousin, Nadhem Abdullah, 18 was allegedly beaten to death during the incident in May 2003.

Seven Parachute Regiment soldiers deny murder and violent disorder.

The defendants are Cpl Scott Evans, 32, and privates Billy Nerney, 24, Samuel May, 25, Morne Vosloo, 26, Daniel Harding, 25, Roberto Di-Gregorio, 24, and Scott Jackson, 26.

Bruises and blows

Mr Khalaf said he and his brother Kazim were knocked unconscious by the soldiers who stopped the pick-up truck they were in.

I wish I was dead, it would be better. They've destroyed my life Sougheir Khalaf Toama Il-Mahamdawi

Speaking through an interpreter he said: "Once they attacked me they did not have any mercy on me and they hit me with boots.

"I was on the ground. Myself and Kazim, we lost consciousness.

He said he wanted compensation "because I don't know if I am going to die or live".

"I wish I was dead, it would be better. They've destroyed my life."

But Rex Tedd, QC, representing Cpl Scott Evans, said Mr Khalaf's kidney stones were due to his diet.

"What you have done is to pretend you have suffered injuries when that's not true so you can claim compensation for it," Mr Tedd said.

"You have told many lies exaggerating what happened to you in the hope of getting money from the Army."

Mr Khalaf said: "No by Allah, I swear to Allah that whatever I'm saying is the truth."

He also said illness which prevented the court martial sitting on Friday was also due to the alleged beating.

But William Clegg, QC, representing Private Samuel May, said: "Last Friday you vomited because you had eaten something which disagrees with you, that's the truth of it isn't it?"

The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.