SAS pair cleared over deaths in mountains

Two SAS servicemen have been acquitted of charges in relation to a march on the Brecon Beacons in which three reservists died.

The men, known only as 1A and 1B, denied negligently performing a duty by failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of candidates taking part in the exercises.

Lance Corporal Craig Roberts and L/cpl Edward Maher were pronounced dead on the Welsh mountain range after suffering heatstroke in July 2013.

Corporal James Dunsby died at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital from multiple organ failure more than two weeks later. The men known as 1A and 1B went on trial last week.

Judge Advocate General Jeff Blackett ruled the defendants had no case to answer and directed the five-person panel to acquit them of the charge.