Pair cleared of soldier assault

Two paratroopers based in Essex have been cleared of indecently assaulting a soldier while serving in Afghanistan.

Cpl Simon Scott and L/Cpl Ian Greenslade were found not guilty of disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind at a military trial in Colchester.

L/Cpl Jamie Morton, L/Cpl Peter McKinley and Pte Christopher Martin remain on trial and deny the charges.

The trial heard how a teenage soldier was stripped naked, handcuffed and held down while on duty in Afghanistan.

Prosecutors said the soldier, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was stripped naked, handcuffed, held down then indecently assaulted while he was serving in southern Afghanistan in 2006.

The hearing was shown video footage and images, taken by watching soldiers, which showed the victim lying naked on the floor in a tent.

Judge Advocate Michael Hunter recorded not guilty verdicts on Cpl Scott and L/Cpl Greenslade after prosecutors said they were offering no further evidence against the two men - both thought to be aged in their 20s.

The hearing continues and is expected to end in May.