Offender ‘can’t play Army card again’

♦ A judge forgave a former soldier for “playing the Army card” as he spared him jail for drug-dealing offences.

Ishmeal Robinson, 39, from Birmingham, served four years in the Army and three of his close friends were killed in his two tours of Iraq, including his lieutenant right in front of him, Judge Sean Morris was told at Teesside Crown Court. Sentencing Robinson, who admitted the charges, he referred to his military record: “That always matters to a judge.”

But the judge added: “This is the only time you’ll be able to play the Army card, all right?”

Robinson was given a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with 250 hours’ unpaid work and costs to pay of £535.