Soldier killed in 'rifle prank'

A British soldier serving in Iraq killed a colleague when he was "messing about" with a sniper rifle, a court martial has heard.

Rifleman Aaron Kendrick, 20, of 4 Rifles, shot Fijian Edward Vakabua, 23, in the head as he lay on his bunk in the Basra Palace base in July 2007.

He admits negligently discharging the gun, but denies manslaughter.

The hearing at Bulford military court in Wiltshire heard that he believed the rifle was broken and unloaded.

The Army launched an investigation following the incident and Rifleman Kendrick was charged in April by the Army Prosecuting Authority.

Snipers fined

The court martial heard that the accused was not qualified to use the L96 rifle, but had been allowed to handle it by a sniper colleague who had left the bunk room.

Prosecutor Colonel Nigel Jones said he, in jest, cocked the weapon and pointed it at Rifleman Vakabua.

He then pulled the trigger, shooting him dead, the prosecutor said.

Two snipers, both lance corporals, were later fined £850 for leaving loaded weapons indoors in breach of a standing order.

Rifleman Vakabua, known as "Vaka", from Suva, Fiji, was serving in the Mortar Platoon attached to 7 Platoon, B Company.

The MoD described him as a "quiet, shy and pleasant character".

And Capt Will Peltor, Rifleman Vakabua's platoon commander, said he was "a proud son of Fiji" whose death had hurt all of his colleagues deeply.

The court martial continues.