Accused UK soldier 'outstanding'

Cpl Kenyon denies the charges

A British soldier facing charges of abusing Iraqi prisoners was "outstanding" and "extremely reliable", his court martial has heard.

Cpl Daniel Kenyon, 33, was praised by former platoon commander, Major Adrian Grinonneau, who expressed surprise at the allegations.

Cpl Kenyon is accused of abusing civilians at Camp Bread Basket in the south of the country in May 2003.

He denies five charges and is standing trial along with two others.

L/Cpl Mark Cooley, 25, from Newcastle, denies two charges and L/Cpl Darren Larkin, 30, from Greater Manchester, has admitted one assault charge.

All three, from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, have had a charge against them dropped but could be jailed if found guilty of those remaining.

The prosecution says 22 photographs were taken on 15 May 2003 at Camp Bread Basket in Basra, by soldiers documenting their own abuse of Iraqi detainees.

Wife's death

Using a video link from Baghdad, Maj Grinonneau told the court martial in Osnabrueck, Germany: "I thought it was a most 'unKenyonlike' characteristic and wasn't the actions I would associate with him."

He told the court Cpl Kenyon served under him in 1997 shortly after the death of his first wife, and becoming sole carer for their young child.

"He is an extremely reliable NCO (non-commissioned officer), especially considering the personal circumstances and conditions he was serving under and one whom I had complete trust in."

The court also heard that discipline was one of Cpl Kenyon's strongpoints.

On one occasion he made three hung-over soldiers dig a trench as punishment for returning to camp "worse for wear" shortly before heading to Iraq.

Colour Sgt Darren Pugh, who was Kenyon's section commander in Iraq, said: "He is an outstanding soldier, a very good instructor and overall a very good soldier."