Helicopter crash co-pilot avoids jail

THE co-pilot of an RAF helicopter that crashed during a “jolly”, killing the pilot and two others, yesterday avoided jail.

Former Flight Lieutenant Robert Hamilton, 29, who was left paraplegic by the incident, was on board the £20 million Puma when it crashed in a field at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, on 8 August, 2007.

The pilot, Flt Lt David Sale, 28, from Norton, Teesside, died along with crewman Sergeant Phillip Burfoot, 27, from Cardiff, and 17-year-old army recruit Private Sean Tait, from Glasgow, who was serving with the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

At an earlier court martial, Hamilton pleaded guilty to neglect in flying likely to cause loss of life or bodily injury. A charge of wilful neglect was left on file.

Vice-judge Advocate General Michael Hunter sentenced him to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.