Ex-soldier convicted of killing man in Troubles

A Northern Ireland veteran has become the first former soldier to be convicted of a killing during the Troubles since the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. David Holden, 53, has been on trial at Belfast Crown Court accused of the manslaughter of Aidan Mcanespie in 1988. His sentence, which will be handed down in January, could result in jail time, and has caused anger over the Government’s failure to pass an amnesty law that would protect Northern Ireland veterans.

A FORMER soldier who befriended 12-year-old boys and allowed them to stay at his house to drink alcohol and vape has been spared jail.

Anthony Lingard, 39, was given a suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to five counts of child abduction concerning one boy between July 2019 and January 2020.

Minshull Street Crown Court heard how Lingard, a decorated former firefighter and soldier, gave the children “free rein” at his home in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester.

One of the boys, aged 12, lied to his parents and told them he was going to a friend’s house.

The other child knew Lingard through his family and his parents knew he was going to his house. However, the father of the other boy spoke to Lingard and said the former firefighter did not correct him in his impression that he was a parent himself.

The court heard how this boy’s father developed a trusting relationship with Lingard, ringing him to check that it was alright for his son to visit, whilst under the impression that the boy was staying over at a schoolmate’s house.

In a period lasting seven months, the boy visited up to 15 times, with police becoming involved after the visits became known at his school.

‘He now understands what Mr Lingard did was grooming. I feel like I should have done more’

The boy’s father said: “He [the boy] now understands what Mr Lingard did was grooming.

“He has manipulated a young boy. I feel like I should have done more, but I think: “What more could I have done? Why would I not believe that?”’

The father said that the boy had been left traumatised by the deception.

Sentencing, Judge Angela Nield said: “It is fully accepted by the prosecution and part of your basis of plea that no sexual offences were committed against the victim in any of the counts.”

But she added: “It is one of the great acts of faith that a parent undertakes to allow their child out of their care and control and into the care and control of another”, and said that Lingard had “failed on every level to provide that level of care and support”.

The court heard from former colleagues of Lingard’s on the fire service who described him someone who was “intelligent” but who struggled “adhere to rules he does not understand”.

The judge spared him an immediate jail term, stating that he showed signs of having “high-functioning autism” and was unlikely to reoffend.

A former fire service boss said that he was “eccentric” but that his behaviour was not “predatory”.