Former British soldier David Holden who killed Catholic Aidan McAnespie in Northern Ireland escapes jail sentence

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But trial judge Mr Justice O'Hara said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty.Holden admitted firing the shot which killed Mr McAnespie, but said he discharged the weapon by accident because his hands were wet.But Judge O'Hara said Holden had pointed a machine gun at Mr McAnespie and pulled the trigger, while assuming the gun was not cocked.He also said the former soldier had given a"deliberately false account" of what happened.

"We would have liked to see him get some sort of sentence, but it wasn't the be-all-and-end-all. As long as he was found guilty, that was the main thing." "Obviously, we are still extremely sad. We miss Aidan every day, but this will give some solace to the family."Paul Young, national spokesman for the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement, criticised the sentence and conviction of Holden.

It would be terrible if he was helped into the back of a van by Irish republicans and sent to 'live on a farm.'

Should have blown him up instead. He would have got a pardon.

It is a damning disgrace that soldiers are dragged before the courts , yet the terrorists are walking the streets with letters of immunity from prosecution. Not condoning what he allegedly did , just appalled only one side can be called and made accountable

Disgraceful

IRA giving pardons while our soldiers are hunted maybe time tony Blair and Labour where investigated on why they gave the murdering scum pardons

Great recruitment advert .

Who wld join armed services? Crap pay & housing, prosecuted 4 fighting whilst those attacking u get pardoned, when u leave u abandoned & can end up homeless. Meanwhile in 4* hotels .........

But the IRA were all given pardons….

Seriously 😳 We are going backwards and people are questioning why his family is upset.. nothinghaschanged”

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