Sgt Danny Nightingale

Wait for the wave of Daily Mail outrage and donation appeals. They will come.

I'm a bit on the fence on this. He has been found guilty of possessing an array of dangerous and illegal weapons which, whether he can use safely of not is irrelevant. Therefore, most of me thinks he should get the same treatment as if it was me or anyone else found guilty of same

We have to take responsibility for our actions

 

Exactly...........WTF was he thinking of?

 

As a serving member I'm on the fence. Those who know, know. Those that don't, don't.

 

Damn shame is how I see it, I rather see N in the possesion of a firearm than a radicalised muzzah

 

Yes, and that's a fair point. But no one on this forum will ever be in possession of the full facts of the case so no matter how we agree/ disagree can we really comment on the verdict.

 

This is the flat mate known to the court as Soldier N - his true name is not to be published, by court order. He pleaded guilty and did not then change his mind or go to appeal. His sentence I believe was 18 months military detention. He would have got one-third remission automatically and a bit more for good behaviour at MCTC, thus would have served approx. 10 months (I don't know the exact number of days). I am told he was released last Friday, having completed the sentence, so he can now get on with his life.

 

I'd rather neither of them had access to illegally held weapons and stolen ammunition.

 

Is the flat mate being allowed to soldier on?

 

Discharged I believe. After a stint that long there that's the normal outcome.

 

Nightingale will probably go the same way.............I can't see that he can function properly anymore because of judgement, health and identity / profile exposure issues and in those circumstances; that should mean being RTU'd immediately..............but owing to the issues mentioned, I have my doubts that his previous unit would want him back anyway, therefore the easiest way is discharge after serving time at the MCTC..

 

MCTC has two different regimes, one for soldiers who need military retraining before they soldier on, and the other for those who are to be dismissed, or discharged, or whose service is ending anyway. In the latter case, they are trained in useful skills for civilian life (such as plumbing, fork-lift truck driving, Kwik-Fit exhaust fitting). I have heard soldiers complaining that those in detention get better prepared for transition to civilian jobs than other guys who have kept their noses clean.

 

Hmmm, a fair reason why I never joined the forces................ FFS an exhaust fitting course. So that's a full day, with plenty of free time in the afternoon too.

 

I assume those delivering the verdict were in full possession of the facts. I agree we should be careful about inappropriate comments, but I do get the impression that Mr. Nightingale dug himself a bigger hole.

 

If you have seen Newsnight tonight, it seems he is still digging. Mrs Nightingale has done lots of digging too. One can't help thinking that for an SAS sniper he doesn't seem to be too good at keeping his head down, and is rather prone to shooting himself in the foot.

I have been reading the current thread on the Army Rumour forum (ARRSE), and most people there seem to think the sentence will now be 5 years in prison or more. My own guess would be 2.5 years prison, reduced to the ranks and dismissed (unless the CMAC decides the ceiling is the previous sentence, which I think is unlikely).

 

As an ex SAS sniper,he's not the one that had to keep his head down.I note from the general tone that he should"put up or shut up"over this which is not likely at this time.As for the army rumour forum,it is as its named.It would be a gross underestimation to suggest that he has fought this for the crass reason of trying to "get away with it"with the rather large costs involved and in so many ways.As for the obvious attempt to increase his tarrif,is it because he dared to fight his corner? it makes a complete mockery of the difference between punitive and correcting,what does Colchester MCTC stand for after all,so why should he get a longer term?I would be interested to be advised on this matter.
As inconvienient as it may be,his former units motto will be in the fore of his mind.

Stu

 

He should get a longer sentence because his original sentence was reduced for the Guilty verdict and was "only" for the illegal possession of the Glock 9mm, the systematic theft and stockpiling of ammunition didn't get addressed by the court.

 

sadly....

 

I reckon his judgement is seriously flawed; probably owing to an attitude (prevalent among quite a few, of which I speak with experience) of 'How dare they prosecute me?'

 

I'm sorry but you have been caught with an illegal fire arm and ammo, I don't care if your a "Hero" or not its very simple and very black and white. Did you or did you not have said items? Yes. GUILTY. The end