Soldiers “fined” by N.C.O.

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33917, 9 August 1975, Page 1

Soldiers “fined” by N.C.O.

An Army lance-corporal said to have “fined” soldiers on a training course for leaving their gear in the wrong place faced a court-martial at Burnham Military Camp yesterday.

He is Lance-Corporal N. J. Jury, who faces four charges brought under Section 61 of the Army Act, which pertains to conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The money the soldiers were “fined” was said to have been intended for a party at the end of the course — which party, it is alleged, was never held. Two corporals will face a court-martial, on similar charges, on completion of the present hearing, probably in a few days time. All charges arise from the same incident, the men facing court-martial having been instructors on a course. The maximum sentence on charges brought under section 61 oi the Army Act is two years imprisonment. The present court-martial is presided over by Major G. E. Vickers, area commander of the Otago and Southland Army area; with him, as Judge Advocate, is Mr P. G. S. Penlington, a Christchurch lawyer. The prosecuting counsel is Mr G. S. Brockett, and the prosecuting officer, Captain G. M

. Beddie, of the Royal New > Zealand Armoured Corps, f The defending counsel is Mr •A. N. McLean and the • defending officer, Captain D. IT. Weston, of the Royal ; New Zealand Artillery.