THE bullet which killed a Hereford-based SAS soldier in Iraq was used by British troops, an inquest heard today.

Sergeant Jonathan Hollingsworth died from a single gunshot wound to the chest during a late night raid on terror leaders in November 2006.

Herefordshire coroner David Halpern said he couldn’t be sure whether the 5.56mm bullet was fired by British troops or Iraqi insurgents.

He also said it “wasn’t beyond the realms of possibility” that a colleague could have accidentally discharged his weapon.

Sgt Hollingsworth, aged 35, was part of an operation pinpointing ‘high value targets’ suspected of abducting several security contractors in a Basra suburb dubbed ‘a no go’ for British troops.

The bullet that killed him was a pre-2000 variety known to be in the hands of insurgents. The British men were carrying weapons capable of firing 5.56mm bullets during the apartment block raid, even though their ammunition was more recent. All the soldiers, who gave evidence behind screens, said they didn’t fire that night.

Captain Morag Sheather, senior investigating officer with the military police, said there was no forensic evidence linking anyone with the death.

The officer added that women in full Iraqi dress were found in the flat, along with children, and that it was possible any offending weapon could have been handed to them because they knew they wouldn’t be searched.

The soldier who entered the flat with Sgt Hollingsworth, named as Soldier B, said he forced open a barracaded kitchen and was in front of the sergeant.

“I saw movement on a balcony in front but couldn’t see if anyone had a weapon,” he said.

“I then heard Sgt Hollingsworth behind me saying he needed a medic. I hadn’t heard or seen a gunshot.” The soldier, who was also in charge of ammunition, said the troops sometimes used the 55.6mm bullets in training but not in operations.

No weapons capable of firing a 5.56mm were found at the flat.

Following the raid, the troops detained a group of men, while at least two men escaped.

Sgt Hollingsworth was taken to a nearby military hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Delivering a narrative verdict, Mr Halpern said: “Sgt Jonathan Hollingsworth died from a single gunshot wound to the chest, fired by a person unknown, during operational duties in Iraq.”

He added his thanks to ‘our great and courageous’ soldiers who he says ‘undertake such duties for the protection of others’.

Sgt Hollingsworth’s widow, Kate, said this afternoon she and her family bear no malice to any individual for the death.

Speaking through her solicitor, Andrew Davidson, she said she recognises that he died among friends and hopes that any lessons learned from his death will be implemented.