Double murder trial may be in UK
Date published: 24 August 2009
The family of a security guard facing double murder charges in Iraq hope a legal loophole could allow him to stand trial in Britain.
Former Paratrooper Danny Fitzsimons (29), a one-time pupil at Our Lady’s Catholic School, Royton, is accused of shooting two fellow private security guards in Baghdad.
He could face the death penalty in Iraq for the alleged double murder, but his lawyers may have discovered a legal loophole that because he is not accused of killing Iraqis, he could be tried out of the country.
He is accused of murdering a Briton and an Australian, and they say he could be tried in either country.
Fitzsimons, who was raised in New Moston, lives in Middleton, and served in Iraq and Afghanistan before leaving the Army five years ago.
His father, Eric Fitzsimons, a PE teacher, played for Oldham Rugby League Club between 1979 to 1981 and later coached the team.
He also coached St Anne’s Amateur Rugby Club, and lives with Daniel’s stepmother, Liz, in Whitworth, Rochdale.
The Iraqi lawyers were hired by the family, but paid for by the ArmorGroup, the security firm in whose compound the shootings took place two weeks ago on August 9.
It was allegedly during a drunken brawl and lawyers say he is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
