Army will keep convicted soldier

The Army has decided to retain a soldier who threatened to kill several people and almost got his wish to be gunned down by police.

Lance Corporal Michael John McEntee was facing a jail sentence and expulsion from the defence forces after running amok at a party at the Burnham Military Camp in April.

After a dispute with his partner, McEntee threatened fellow soldiers and police with an imitation pistol.

At one point, a police officer was squeezing the trigger of his pistol to shoot McEntee when the soldier's partner got in the way and forced him to stop.

McEntee was convicted of several offences in the Christchurch District Court and last week was sentenced to 120 hours of community work and a year of supervision.

After a review, the Army formally warned McEntee over his actions but decided to reinstate him to full duties.