(UK)Soldier Faces Desertion Court Martial

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Source: AFP

LONDON — A soldier faced the first stage of his court-martial for desertion on Monday, having refused to return to Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, from the Royal Logistic Corps, wore military fatigues Monday for a preliminary hearing at a military court in Bulford Camp near Salisbury. Glenton's lawyer indicated that he would plead not guilty.

Judge Advocate Alastair McGrigor adjourned the case for another preliminary hearing on September 4. Glenton faces a maximum of two years' imprisonment.

The lance corporal, who did not speak at the hearing, was to return to duties with his regiment.

The 27-year-old Glenton on Thursday handed in a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Downing Street office calling for troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan, saying Britain's mission there would fail.

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