'Traumatised' soldier who fired AK-47 gets six years

An Army colour sergeant who terrified another soldier with a loaded AK-47 assault rifle - which he fired during the struggle to disarm him - was today jailed for six years.

Matthew Wells, 42, who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, took the loaded gun and three grenades in a holdall to a meeting with Regimental Quartermaster Glen Martin, Winchester crown court was told.

James Kellam, prosecuting, said Wells became agitated in the meeting in Gibraltar Barracks, Camberley, on 13 November last year over a misunderstanding about the treatment of another soldier, Lance Sergeant Susan Reynolds.

Wells then reached into his holdall, took out the assault rifle, cocked it and pointed it at Mr Martin.

Mr Kellam said that Mr Martin struck the gun barrel with his left hand, jumped the desk and grabbed the barrel of the weapon. Wells fired a seven-round burst from the rifle as the men fought.

"Bullets struck the wall from one side of the room to the other," Mr Kellam said. The shooting only stopped when the gun jammed and Mr Martin overpowered Wells and disarmed him.

In police interview, Wells - who served in all major conflicts since the Falklands - said he wanted to scare Mr Martin before killing himself.

The court heard Wells was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after the shooting and that he had an "exemplary" military career.

Wells admitted possessing the firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Mr Justice Butterfield said it had been a "grave offence" but he had taken into consideration his illness and military career when deciding the sentence.