Marine A launches appeal on conviction

Marine A, Sgt. Alexander Blackman from Taunton has launched an appeal to overturn his conviction and sentence for the murder of an injured insurgent prisoner.

Blackman was convicted a military court martial in November for the murder of an injured insurgent while a member of the Devon based Royal Marines.

The 39-year-old  Blackman received a sentence of 10 years for after video evidence showed him shooting dead a badly injured man with a 9mm handgun

He is also heard saying: “It’s nothing you wouldn’t do for us.” and “Go on, shuffle off this mortal coil you ****.”

Blackman  a 15-year veteran in the Royal Marines was also dismissed with disgrace when sentenced and apologised for any damage he had caused the Royal Marines reputation with his actions.

He had been on six operational tours, including two in Afghanistan, during his 15 years with the Royal Marines.

Two other marines later named as Cpl Christopher Watson and Marine Jack Hammond were acquitted of charges at the court martial.

The murder was inadvertently recorded on Watson’s helmet camera on the 15 September 2011 and discovered by police in an unrelated raid against another member of the British Armed Forces.

All three men were initially given anonymity due to concerns their families may become the targets of retribution attacks and were known only as Marine A, B and C.