Iraq leave soldiers face murder charge

Two British soldiers on leave from Iraq have been charged with the murder of a woman in Tanzania, the MoD confirmed today.

Nigel David Moffett, 23, and Brett Richard Mallinson , 20, appeared before Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday charged with the murder of Conjesta Ulikaye.

Both soldiers were serving as troopers in the Light Dragoons regiment which is based at Swanton Morley, in Norfolk.

They were in Tanzania on an adventure training exercise and were part of a group preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

It is alleged that the two men jointly murdered Ms Ulikaye on November 10 at the Silver Sands Beach Hotel in Dar-es-Salaam.

Prosecutors claim the men had sex with the woman and gave her £37 promising to pay more.

The pair did not enter a plea and the case was adjourned until November 29 when it is due to be heard before Tanzania's High Court.

Moffett and Mallinson were remanded in custody.

An MoD spokesman said the soldiers had arrived in Tanzania on November 9 and had been in the country for just one day when Ms Ulikaye was allegedly murdered on November 10.

He said he was unable to comment on the investigation which is being carried out by local police but said the army would be assisting with the probe.

"We can confirm two soldiers have been charged with the murder of a local woman in Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania. They have been remanded in custody in Tanzania while the local police carry out an investigation.

"The two soldiers were on an adventure training exercise which involved climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

"We are unable to comment on the investigation but we will be assisting police who are leading the inquiry," the spokesman said.