An SAS sniper jailed for illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition walked free from court on Thursday after successfully appealing his sentence.
Sergeant Danny Nightingale was sentenced to 18 months’ military detention earlier this month after he admitted illegally possessing a Glock 9mm pistol and more than 300 rounds of ammunition.
Three judges sitting in the Court Martial Appeal Court in London on Thursday cut his sentence from 18 months to 12 months.
But they suspended the sentence and said he could be released immediately.
Walking free from the Royal Courts of Justice, Nightingale wiped away tears as he hugged his wife and father. He thanked his wife and supporters for their “trust and support”.
Nightingale’s wife Sally wept at the verdict and nodded when asked by reporters if she was “thrilled”.
The father-of-two had admitted illegally possessing a Glock 9mm pistol and more than 300 rounds of ammunition at a military court but said they were a gift from Iraqi soldiers he had helped to train.
Jailed SAS sniper freed after appeal
