My first hearing was in Aldershot in January 2007. I went with my unit-defending officer at the time and my lawyer.
On the first day, I relayed what took place that night to my lawyer and told him that my actions were based on discrimination and that I acted in self-defence.
I was not included in negotiations between my lawyer and the prosecutor. I felt victimised in this case - racially abused and discriminated against. My lawyer recommended I plead guilty so the charges would be lowered and I could go back to the army and follow my dream - he thought the judge would not believe I was acting in self-defence. They told me to plead guilty to two charges and they would drop the third. I was not informed that by pleading guilty I would lose the right to claim I acted in self-defence. Regardless, I did not wish to plead guilty and did not fully understand why I was to do so, except that it would, apparently, be better for my case.
During negotiations my lawyer spoke very quickly and I had difficulty understanding what he was saying. My defending officer, aware of my lack of English in a stressful situation, assisted my lawyer in explaining all the jargon but everything was very rushed and I was unable to properly process what was happening.
The prosecutor decided it was necessary to hold a full trial and I was relieved at the thought that the truth could now come out. Because the witness never showed up the trial was postponed to the following day.
The next day, my lawyer realised that he was also representing the prosecution witness in my case, in another hearing for a sex offence. He was caught in a conflict of interest and told the judge and the prosecutor that he would no longer be able to represent me. Another barrister was arranged and briefed by my defending officer and lawyer but I was not involved. The barrister told me that in his experience he thinks I should agree to plead guilty on two charges and they would drop the third. I reiterated that I did not want to plead guilty but finally agreed.
The prosecutor agreed to drop one charge. The barrister said that he would mention self-defence and discrimination in the next trial.
Back in the court room, new charges were read out and I pleaded guilty, as advised. Confused, all I understood was the date of the next trial. I was unaware that I would be charged and sent to jail at the next trial.
The court was made to believe that we were all drunk when, in reality, my guest and I were only on our second pint - a fact which my lawyer never pointed out.
I was portrayed as a lunatic, punching people in the face for no reason. I was never called as a witness and my side of the story was NEVER heard.
The case was postponed until the 1th of February 2007 and I returned to my regiment to begin training for an operation to Iraq. On the 24th of January I was told to unload my kit from the truck because my case was scheduled for that morning. I was driven to Colchester Court and again the case was delayed until the next day.
My original lawyer was there to represent me and at that stage everyone involved was confused. He arrived without my paperwork, which was still with the barrister. This hearing went on for more than an hour and self-defence or discrimination was never mentioned. I was totally disheartened by never being called as a witness. I explained to the court that I never meant to cause such injury and that I was very sorry and was then advised not to say any more than this. The judges considered my case for 1.5 hours and subsequently sentenced me to 16 months in prison, dismissal from the army and loss of my rank.
The court heard lies and was never interested in my story and I sat there feeling like a lamb to the slaughter. My life and dreams were crumbling before me.
I fail to see justice in what appears to have been an unfair trial. It seems that seven years of service and risking my life will not be honoured as I now sit in jail, facing deportation. My appeal, which was handed in directly after the outcome of the trial, has been denied.
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