Trainee soldier guilty of attempted murder of comrade at Catterick Garrison

A trainee soldier is facing up to life in prison for the attempted murder of acomrade who he told a court martial he was being bullied by.

Private James Farrell, 18, told a trial he plunged a knife into the bed of the"ringleader" of a group of fellow trainees who were bullying him at CatterickGarrison in North Yorkshire.

Prosecutors said the blow was aimed at Rifleman Curtis Horbury's head and he had to roll out of the way, but Farrell said he had no intention of hitting him with the knife and just wanted to scare him..

Farrell denied attempted murder but was convicted following a three-day trial at Colchester Garrison in Essex.

A board of five military officers returned its verdict on Wednesday afteraround three hours of deliberation.

Farrell will be sentenced for the offence next month, together with sentencing for ammunition offences which he admitted in separate proceedings.

Farrell, who was with the 2nd Infantry Training Battalion, told the trial hestarted his training at Catterick in September and was bullied "nearly thewhole time" by others in his dormitory.

The court was told that on the day of the incident other trainees were "ripping into him."

Farrell said he left the dormitory on the evening of November 13 to go to asmoking shelter and calm down.

He said he intended to return to the room and punch Rifleman Horbury, but when he got back he "lost it", took out his knife and stabbed the bed.

Rifleman Horbury, said he thought the knife would have hit his head if he had not rolled out of the way.

Farrell said that afterwards he stepped back and told Rifleman Horbury: "Letthat be a warning to you."

Farrell, who appeared in uniform for the trial, showed no reaction as theunanimous verdict was read out.

Vice-Judge Advocate General Michael Hunter asked for pre-sentence reports to be prepared ahead of a sentencing hearing on March 20.

Attempted murder carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, with time to be served in a civilian prison.

In a court martial, the sentence is decided by the judge and the military board together.

In separate proceedings, Farrell admitted possessing 42 rounds of liveammunition, and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline by way ofpossession of 30 rounds of blank ammunition.

All matters will be sentenced together.