$1400 fine for accidental shot on Iraqi firing range

The second in command of New Zealand's 61-person engineering contingent in Iraq has been fined $1400 for accidentally firing his rifle.

Major Phil Morrison pleaded guilty at a court martial at Trentham Camp yesterday.

His rifle discharged after he failed to perform the correct unloading drill on the Basra Palace range in Iraq.

The contingent in which Major Morrison served arrived back in New Zealand last Saturday.

Two senior officers who served in the last troop rotation in Afghanistan were court-martialled this month on similar charges.

One was fined $1300 and the other $1700.

Under military law, junior ranks committing such offences are dealt with summarily by their commanding officers.

But officers above the rank of major have to be dealt with by formal court martial.

- NZPA