Soldier's Grieving Mother Says Justice Done After Court Martial

The mother of a soldier killed in an accident as British forces pulled out of Afghanistan says justice has been done, three years after his death.

One of Adam Moralee's comrades has been jailed for nine months and another handed a suspended prison sentence after an "avoidable industrial accident".

The Royal Engineer soldier, described as a "rising star" by his commanding officer, died instantly when he was impaled on the metal teeth of an earth-moving digger. Lynn Moralee told Newcastle's Evening Chronicle:

"They were great mates but I feel they deserved punishing because Adam's death could have been avoided."

“After the court case I spoke to them both. I'm glad I talked to them because I know it has also been hanging over them for the past three years.

"I hope it helped them as well. On the flip of a coin I know they were great mates and I also see their side of the story."

A court martial heard how sapper Thomas Lloyd, 23, accidentally hit a lever to lower a digger bucket as he cleaned the inside of a vehicle, prior to it being sent back to the UK. He was ordered to serve nine months in a military detention centre.

Lance Corporal Smith, 28, who had been in charge of the cleaning party, was given eight months in prison suspended for 18 months and an electronically tagged curfew for four months. Both admitted a charge of neglect of duty.

The court martial heard that since the incident Smith had suffered so badly with post-traumatic stress disorder that he had been medically discharged from the Army.

Adam Moralee had been due to be promoted to lance corporal as well as marrying his fiancee, Emma. His death was described by a judge as "an utterly tragic incident".

He was repatriated to RAF Brize Norton after his death. Lynn said:

"Adam was my only child and I lost him in 2014 and then my husband Darren the following year to a brain tumour.

"After the hearing I had to have our dog, Meg, put down because she couldn't walk anymore.

"I have lost my whole family but I take comfort thinking they are all in heaven, Darren dancing with Meg and Adam pushing her away because he wasn't a pet person."

More than 600 people attended the soldier's funeral in Newcastle's St Nicholas cathedral, while a plaque was unveiled at a local war memorial as a permanent reminder. Lynn said:

"Adam was buried in a military grave at Greenside Cemetery and when Darren went I had him buried next to him.

"I have been to the grave, put down carnations and told them the outcome of the case. It was something I had to do." 

"I feel so alone because I've lost all my family.

"There have been occasions where I have thought about taking my own life but I know Adam and Darren wouldn't have wanted that." 

"I have had to stay strong for them and feel I have fought Adam's corner for him."

"Before Darren went he said I had to live life to the full, but after losing them both it's been so difficult.

"There is only so much a person can take and I'm doing my best to cope. It's been a tough journey but I'll do it for them."