‘Friendly fire’ soldier jailed for robbery
A TRAUMATISED Gulf War veteran has been sent to prison after turning to a life of drugs and crime.
John O’Brien, 48, stole £200 at knife-point from a terrified Catholic priest in his church house and then calmly rang for a taxi.
Father Bryan Cunningham was confronted at night in January at St John Fisher Presbytery, Kearsley, Greater Manchester.
Bolton crown court heard O’Brien, who admitted robbery, was in 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in 1991 when his outfit was hit by “friendly fire” US missiles and nine colleagues died.
But Judge Michael Hayton QC, jailing him for six years, said: “Father Cunningham must have been terrified. You should feel safe in your own home.”