US Abu Ghraib abuser sentenced to 6 months prison

FORT HOOD, TEXAS - A US soldier who stomped on hooded Iraqi prisoners has been sentenced to six months behind bars, becoming the sixth person imprisoned in connection with abuses at Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison.

Sgt Javal Davis, 27, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to stomping on the fingers and toes of seven bound and hooded inmates in November 2003. Other guards later stripped the prisoners and stacked them into a naked human pyramid.

"I am deeply sorry," Davis told the nine-person military jury. "I'm not the perfect soldier."

Prosecutor Maj Michael Holley called Davis' actions "brutal and cowardly" and said he had lied about the incident.

The military jury deliberated nearly six hours before handing down the prison sentence. Davis was also given a dishonorable discharge and had his rank dropped to the lowest pay grade. Under the plea deal, he had faced up to 18 months in prison.

Davis showed no emotion upon hearing the sentence, but his relatives wept afterward. His mother, Michelle Carpenter Davis, had cried while speaking about her son during the three days of sentencing testimony.

He "has been very remorseful since this whole incident started," she testified. "I'm still proud of my son because he is a good man."

Davis is one of seven reservists from the Army's 372nd Military Police Company charged with abuses at Abu Ghraib, photos of which caused a worldwide uproar.

Two from that unit, including Pfc Lynndie England, who was pictured holding a leash tethered to a naked prisoner, still face trial.

Of nine soldiers charged with abuse-related crimes at Abu Ghraib, six including Davis have admitted their guilt and one, Charles Graner, has been convicted.

- REUTERS