Army Officers Deny Charges Over Soldier Stray Bullet Death

Ranger Michael Maguire died in 2012.

Two Army officers and a sergeant have denied charges relating to the death of a soldier killed by a stray bullet.

Ranger Michael Maguire, of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, was taking part in a live ammunitions training exercise when he was fatally struck in the head.

Captain Jonathan Price denied a charge of manslaughter, while Colonel Richard Bell and Colour Sergeant Stuart Pankhurst pleaded not guilty to a charge of negligently performing a duty.

The exercise, at the Castlemartin Training Area in Pembrokeshire in May 2012, involved soldiers firing live rounds at both static and pop-up targets.

The three defendants will face a court martial in Bulford, Wiltshire on May 14, which is expected to last around six weeks.