Single gunshot killed SAS man in raid

8:00am Monday 13th October 2008

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THE bullet which killed a SAS soldier in Iraq was of a type used by British troops, an inquest heard.

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 could not be sure whether the 5.56mm bullet was fired by British troops or Iraqi insurgents.

He 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 soldiers 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 did not 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 in the flat, along with children, and that it was possible any weapon could have been handed to them because they knew they would not be searched.

The soldier who entered the flat with Sgt Hollingsworth, identified 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 5.56mm bullets in training but not in operations.

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

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

Sgt Hollingsworth was taken to a 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 ”undertake such duties for the protection of others."

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

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