Army Medic To Stay At Colchester Military Prison

13 October 2011, 16:50 | Updated: 13 October 2011, 16:53

A Royal Navy medic who was found guilty of disobeying a lawful command by refusing to attend rifle training because of his "moral objection'' to bearing arms and the war in Afghanistan has lost a conviction appeal.

Three judges at the Court of Appeal in London rejected a challenge by Michael Lyons, who is serving seven months' detention at a military correction facility in Colchester.

Lyons, 25, who was sentenced in July, had denied the offence at a court martial at Portsmouth Naval Base in Hampshire.

The leading medical assistant was also demoted to the rank of able seaman and dismissed from the service.

He was present in court to hear Lord Justice Toulson, sitting with Mr Justice Openshaw and Mr Justice Hickinbottom, throw out his conviction appeal.

They also dismissed his appeal against his "manifestly excessive'' sentence.

The court heard that Lyons has four weeks left to serve.

Reasons for the decision will be given in writing on a date to be fixed.

The appeals against conviction and sentence were opposed by the prosecution.

Lyons is due to be released on November 10.