Two British soldiers, identified only as “X” and “Y” for legal reasons, were on Tuesday sentenced by a court martial in Germany after they admitted to sexually and racially abusing civilians, including children, while serving in Afghanistan.
Soldier “X” (22), who pleaded guilty to abusing an Afghan boy, was fined £1,000.
A former private, who left the army after his tour of duty in Afghanistan, he also admitted to insulting another child.
Soldier “Y” (23), a serving lance corporal, had his rank reduced after he confessed that he got an Afghan man photographed with a sign which read “Silly Paki”.
He was accused of racist conduct “likely to cause harassment or distress” to the man. His defence claimed he was not racist but acknowledged that the soldier “over stepped the line”.
All of the incidents took place between October 16, 2011, and January 6, 2012.
A third man, referred to as soldier “Z” , was cleared of failing in his duty as their patrol commander to deal with the complaints.
All were granted anonymity as it was feared that naming them might endanger their and their families’ lives.
