Trauma soldier felt life was in danger

A former soldier, struggling to settle back into civilian life, armed himself with an air rifle and knuckle-dusters to protect himself, a court heard.

John Wild, of Kings Road, Oldham, joined the Army when he was 19 and served for seven years, before leaving in May, 2008.

Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester heard that the 26-year-old suffered post-traumatic stress as a result of what he had witnessed on duty.

Police were called to a traffic incident in Oldham in July, and searched Wild’s car, finding an air rifle, cosh and knuckle-dusters.

He was handed a community order with two years supervision for possession of the weapons.

Steve Wild, defending said Wild (no relation), who had buried a colleague shortly before he left the armed forces, felt his life was in danger and carried the weapons to protect himself.

Mr Wild said: “He left the Army because he was depressed at what he had seen in action.

“He had buried one of his colleagues and that weighed heavily upon him.

“There is nothing to say that he had these weapons for any ulterior criminal purpose.

“He was adapting to civilian life, and he was depressed and concerned about his own welfare.”

Addressing Wild, Judge Roger Thomas QC said: “I have read your reference from the Army, and they cannot speak any higher of you.

“I am entirely satisfied that you are not a hardened criminal.

“But you had the misguided impression that you were in some sort of danger.”