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A highly-experienced Royal Marine convicted of murdering an injured Afghan insurgent should be shown leniency due to the "exceptional circumstances" of the case, a court martial heard today.
Sergeant Alexander Blackman, 39, who has 15 years service, faces life imprisonment after executing the man in "cold blood" in Helmand Province in 2011.
But a judge and court martial board have been urged to pass the shortest sentence possible to give Blackman "a real anticipation of release".
The military court in Bulford, Wiltshire, heard that Blackman - described as a man with a "strong sense of professionalism" - has been awarded numerous medals during his career.
He was described as a man who has "loyally served his Queen and country" through six tours of duty, including Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Representing Blackman, Anthony Berry QC told Judge Advocate General Jeff Blackett and the board that reports on his client by superiors showed his professionalism.
He said: "The sentence should be so short that he can have a real anticipation of release within not a distant future.
"That is because of the genuinely exceptional nature of the circumstances within this case, the unique circumstances of this case that will allow the court to take this course.
