British submariner to face murder charge

A Royal Navy serviceman will appear in court today accused of the murder of a colleague and the attempted murders of three other crew on board a nuclear submarine.

Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux, 36, was fatally shot on board HMS Astute while it was docked in Southampton, Hampshire, on Friday.

Able Seaman Ryan Samuel Donovan, 22, has been charged with his murder along with the attempted murders of Petty Officer Christopher Brown, 36, Chief Petty Officer David McCoy, 37, and Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hodge, 45.

The shootings took place as local dignitaries, including the city council’s mayor, chief executive and leader, were being given a tour of the submarine while it was berthed at the Eastern Docks on a five-day official visit to the city.

Donovan, of Hillside Road, Dartford, Kent, is in custody and will appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.