SAS sniper guilty of gun charges

An SAS sniper was today convicted of possessing a pistol and more than 300 rounds of ammunition.

A court martial board in Bulford, Wiltshire, found Sergeant Danny Nightingale, 38, guilty of two charges of possessing a Glock 9mm and 338 rounds.

Nightingale had originally pleaded guilty to the two charges in November last year and was sentenced to 18 months' military detention.

The father-of-two, from Crewe, Cheshire, appealed against that sentence and it was reduced to 12 months' imprisonment, suspended for a year.

The Court of Appeal later quashed Sgt Nightingale's original convictions and a fresh trial was ordered.

Sentencing was adjourned today pending a Court of Appeal judgment on the sentencing powers of the court.