Disgraced ex-soldier's Iraq lies exposed
By Nick Allen
Last Updated: 12:18am BST 11/04/2008
A former soldier who lied to a court about witnessing the deaths of comrades in Iraq was reported to the authorities by his grandmother.
Jon Parkin, 22, claimed that atrocities he witnessed in Basra had led him to develop a drink problem and caused his violent behaviour, which included spitting at a police officer.
In fact, Parkin, who was being prosecuted for causing criminal damage and assaulting a police officer, had never been to Iraq and had been thrown out of the Army in disgrace over drugs.
When a report of his case at Peterlee magistrates' court, Co Durham, appeared in a local newspaper his grandmother, Eleanor Turnbull, 66, was outraged and contacted the police to let them know the truth.
She said: "I could not let him get away with saying that when good men are being killed serving their country. He is a disgrace to the Army and a disgrace to our family.
"My husband and father both served in the forces and I have a nephew out in Basra who risks his life every day."
Parkin, of Angus Close, Horden, Co Durham, was arrested following a drunken fracas outside a working men's club in February.
He admitted criminal damage and assaulting the police officer and was sentenced to a 12-month supervision order.
Parkin was also ordered to take treatment for 12 months for his drink problem, pay ?60 costs and ?50 compensation to the officer.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/11/narmy211.xml
What a complete wanker
