Two High Court judges have turned down an application for bail by a former Royal Marine from Brighton as he waits for his appeal against a conviction for murder to be heard.
Alex Blackman, 42, from Bevendean, must remain in prison until the end of next month or possibly early February when his appeal will be considered by the Court Martial Appeal Court.
The former sergeant was convicted of murdering an enemy fighter during what was described as a “tour from hell” in Afghanistan.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission said earlier this month that, having reviewed fresh evidence, there may have been a miscarriage of justice.
The killing was captured on camera. But the fresh evidence suggests that Sergeant Blackman was suffering combat stress during what has been described as a “tour from hell”.
The Criminal Cases Review Commission said that “an alternative verdict of unlawful act manslaughter was not available” when the case was previously considered.
And it said that there was “a real possibility that the Court Martial Appeal Court will now quash Mr Blackman’s murder conviction”.
Sergeant Blackman’s wife Claire was in court to hear the judges’ verdict. While disappointed with their decision, she was pleased that the appeal hearing will be expedited.
