British Soldier Jailed for Stabbing Afghan Boy

A British solider has been jailed for stabbing a 10-year-old boy after getting drunk on vodka while serving in Afghanistan.

Grenadier Guardsman Daniel Crook was jailed for 18 months and dismissed from the Army in June for stabbing Ghulam Nabi with a bayonet, the Ministry of Defense said Saturday. Crook was on patrol in the Nad-e Ali district of the southern Helmand province, where Britain's 9,500 troops in Afghanistan are based, Agence France Presse reported.

At his June court-martial, it was said that Crook had drunk a considerable quantity of vodka that was sent to him in a disguised container from a friend in England in March, when the incident took place. The soldier was reportedly so drunk that prior to the patrol he needed treatment from medics.

Prior to his patrol, Crook's rifle had been confiscated but the soldier had armed himself with a bayonet and two hand grenades, The Daily Telegraph reported. According to prosecutors, Crook came across two Afghans riding bikes -- one of whom was Nabi, who was sent to fetch a bottle of yogurt, but who ended up pestering Crook for chocolate.

The guardsmen then took hold of the boy's shoulder and stabbed him in the region of his kidneys with his bayonet, Agence France Presse reported. When Crook caught up with his patrol, he admitted to what he had done. But when questioned by police, he could not explain the reason for his actions.

A Military of Defense spokesman said: All British troops undergo comprehensive training on the strict rules of engagement that UK forces and ISAF operate under. Any allegations of infringements of these rules of engagement are investigated thoroughly, he said.

Those who are found to fall short of the army's high standards or who are found to have committed an offense are dealt with administratively -- up to and including discharge -- or through the discipline process, as appropriate.

The boy's father, Haji Shah Zada, 72, told the Guardian newspaper that he has not received an apology from the British forces, but did receive about $800, or 600 euros.

Britain's military police have investigated 99 incidents in which British troops have been accused of killing or wounding Afghan civilians between January 2005 and March 2011, according to the Guardian.