Soldier charged with army murder

A 22-year-old man was tonight charged with the murder of a British soldier who died following an incident in Mahon Road army camp in Portadown, Co Armagh, last week.

He is due to appear in court in the morning, said police.

Private Peter Wilkinson, 21, from Ramsgate in Kent was injured in an incident on Friday at the Mahon Rd base in Portadown and died in hospital the following day.

It is understood the suspect is another soldier.

Pte Wilkinson, who was married without children, was half way through a six month detachment in Northern Ireland with 27 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corp.

His commanding officer, Lt Col David Martin said: "Pte Wilkinson’s death is a tragic end to the life of a young soldier who was looking forward to a full and successful career in the army.

"On behalf of all ranks of 27 Regiment, I express our deepest and most sincere sympathy to his wife and immediate family. He will be missed by us."