Soldier is fined 10 days’ pay for going missing for 509 days

An Army private who went missing for a total of 509 days was fined 10 days’ pay and given a severe reprimand but was found not guilty of desertion.

The case was one of just six courts-martial that went to hearing last year, with other cases including charges of military personnel being under the influence of intoxicants, ill-discipline and assault.

Those who came before courts-martial last year range from private to sergeant in terms of rank, and includes the case of a lieutenant who faced a total of 12 charges, including that he went absent without leave on four separate occasions, totalling 274 days.