'Marine A' Bail Application Delayed

A former Royal Marine convicted of the murder of a Taliban fighter has had his application for bail delayed until next week.

In 2013, Alexander Blackman, known as Marine A, was convicted of murdering an Afghan man while on duty in Helmand province in Afghanistan in 2011.

Sgt Blackman was jailed for 10 years - reduced to eight on appeal - for the killing.

An application for bail at the Court of Appeal today (Friday) was delayed until Wednesday (Dec 21).

Reporting restrictions have been placed on what was discussed in court.

Lord Thomas announced that the court "has postponed until further order the reporting of what has transpired at the hearing today in the interests of justice".

This means journalists are only allowed to report comments made by the Judge at the end of the hearing.

But Lord Thomas said that his short judgment, given at the end of the hearing, "may be reported".

He said the court would decide the issue of bail at that stage after hearing further submissions from the prosecution, adding:

"[David Perry QC] has helpfully indicated to the court that he will be in a position by next week to make clear the stance that the Crown is going to take about the evidence in relation to the appellant's mental state."

"As that decision is central to the way in which the appeal will be heard and the timescale within which it can be heard, including the probability of hearing it within weeks, the court considers that the interests of justice are best served by adjourning this application until next week.

"When the court receives the Crown's indication of its stance it will then determine the issue of bail and give further directions."

Blackman's wife Claire was present in court with dozens of supporters.

She left the Royal Courts of Justice to cheers and applause from the many servicemen who attended.

There were shouts of "justice" and "see you on Wednesday" as she departed.

An MoD spokesperson said:

"We will continue to co-operate fully with any legal process involving Sergeant Blackman’s case."

More: Former Soldiers Face Charges Over Official IRA Man's 1972 'Murder'