Partner, Gilbert Blades has been involved in another high profile military court martial.

Gilbert Blades is delighted that the court martial found his client, Major Michael Peebles not guilty at the hearing at Bulford Camp in Wiltshire.

The court martial cleared Maj Peebles of failing to ensure men under his effective control did not abuse Iraqi civilians in Basra. Iraqi prisoner, 26 year old Baha Mousa died in British custody in September 2003 following an incident when Iraqis, including Mr Mousa were taken to a detention centre in Basra after being arrested during an arms search at a hotel in the city. Mr Mousa’s body was found to have 93 separate injuries. Cpl Donald Payne, who admitted treating Iraqis inhumanely is the only soldier out of the 7 to be convicted and is currently awaiting sentencing.

Gilbert Blades, who is based in Bank Street, said, Nearly all of the cases brought against British soldiers from incidents in Iraq had collapsed. The case exposed the weaknesses and gaps in the system. If charges are brought, the case should be capable of standing up to scrutiny by the court, but none of the soldiers who faced court martial should have been charged.

Gilbert is well known throughout the country and internationally for his Courts Martial expertise for all the armed forces. He regularly appears as Advocate for service personnel before Courts Martial trials throughout the UK and overseas and is a member of the National Institute of Military Justice.