THIS WEEK IN 1992: Sailor shot after new year party

A sailor told a jury how new year celebrations aboard a Royal Navy frigate ended with him being shot by a fellow guard.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Nov 2017, 06:00 BST
Updated 12th Dec 2017, 05:34 BST
Christopher Newton had to have one of his lungs removed in an emergency operationChristopher Newton had to have one of his lungs removed in an emergency operation
Christopher Newton had to have one of his lungs removed in an emergency operation

Marine mechanic Christopher Newton was struck in the chest by a bullet.

One of his lungs had to be removed by surgeons in an emergency operation, Portsmouth Crown Court was told.

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Leading seaman Richard Slater, 27, pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Newton on board HMS Scylla.

The prosecution said before going on duty, Slater and others on watch had been allowed drinks to celebrate the new year.

Slater and Able Seaman Jason Marsh posed for a photograph with their pistols drawn.

A shot rang out and Mr Newton fell to the deck with a bullet in his chest.

He told the court Slater had been stripping his pistol and reassembling it.

He said: ‘I told him he had shot me and he said he couldn’t have.’