SAS sniper's sentence suspended (From Hampshire Chronicle)
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SAS sniper's sentence suspended
4:34pm Thursday 29th November 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013
Sally Nightingale, wife of soldier Danny Nightingale, outside the Royal Courts of Justice before handing in a petition for his release
An SAS sniper jailed for illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition has had his sentence suspended after winning an appeal.
Sergeant Danny Nightingale was sentenced to 18 months military detention earlier this month by a judge sitting in a military court.
He admitted illegally possessing a Glock 9mm pistol and more than 300 rounds of ammunition at a court martial.
Three judges - Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge, Mr Justice Fulford and Mr Justice Bean - heard legal argument at a hearing in the Court Martial Appeal Court in London.
Appeal judges said Sgt Nightingale's sentence would be cut from 18 months to 12 months and suspended.
They said he could be released immediately.
Sgt Nightingale's wife Sally, 38, wept at the verdict.
She was lost for words but nodded when asked if she was "thrilled".
Sgt Nightingale walked free from the cells at the Royal Courts of Justice.
Wiping away tears, he hugged his wife and father in the main hall of the building.
