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An Army colour sergeant who terrified another soldier with a loaded AK-47 assault rifle - which he fired during the struggle to disarm him - was today jailed for six years.
Matthew Wells, 42, who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, took the loaded gun and three grenades in a holdall to a meeting with Regimental Quartermaster Glen Martin, Winchester crown court was told.
James Kellam, prosecuting, said Wells became agitated in the meeting in Gibraltar Barracks, Camberley, on 13 November last year over a misunderstanding about the treatment of another soldier, Lance Sergeant Susan Reynolds.
Wells then reached into his holdall, took out the assault rifle, cocked it and pointed it at Mr Martin.
Mr Kellam said that Mr Martin struck the gun barrel with his left hand, jumped the desk and grabbed the barrel of the weapon. Wells fired a seven-round burst from the rifle as the men fought.
"Bullets struck the wall from one side of the room to the other," Mr Kellam said. The shooting only stopped when the gun jammed and Mr Martin overpowered Wells and disarmed him.
In police interview, Wells - who served in all major conflicts since the Falklands - said he wanted to scare Mr Martin before killing himself.
The court heard Wells was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after the shooting and that he had an "exemplary" military career.
Wells admitted possessing the firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Mr Justice Butterfield said it had been a "grave offence" but he had taken into consideration his illness and military career when deciding the sentence.
Reader views (2)
Colour sergeant Wells was taken ill with PTSD in Afghanistan and taken from the front line and returned to base then flown home before the rest of his unit He DID NOT receive any official medical help from the MOD in fact they FAILED in their DUTY OF CARE.This all happened a few months after he witnessed a group of children being blown apart.He picked up a little girl and ran with her bleeding body to the Medics who because of his action saved her life although she did lose an eye.He has served and risked his life in many conflicts,The Falklands, Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo,Iraq, Afghanistan.Had he been receiving treatment this incident would not have happened.It may also be an idea if the reason why he felt a need to defend the other soldier were known.
- Relativeof Matthew Wells, wymondham UK
'Traumatized' or not, the man had a weapon and ammunition that he had to have brought illegally into the country. He had a loaded weapon with any safeties off (for it to have fired 6 rounds during the struggle). He had to have thought about and carefully planned his approach to his intended victim.
He got off lightly.
- Rogan, Irving
