Soldier ‘killed friend with single punch’

A SCOTTISH soldier killed an army friend with a single punch in a row over a wallet, a court martial has heard.

He was hit so hard that he was a “dead man” the moment the blow landed, it was claimed. The hearing was told that after the attack there was nothing anyone could do to save Private Mark Connolly, 24.

It is alleged he was killed by former Black Watch private Paul McKay as the pair celebrated the end of a driving course in Paderborn, Germany, in May last year.

McKay, 25, is on trial at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, where he has denied manslaughter and affray.

The hearing was told that both men had been drinking heavily in the Naafi bar and had begun arguing after Connolly’s wallet was knocked onto the floor.

Oliver Glasgow, prosecuting, said both soldiers, members of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, had been drinking, and that led to the argument.

He said: “The argument led to the defendant punching Connolly so hard in the face that he died. The blow was not struck in self-defence but in anger.”

McKay, from Inverkeithing, Fife, denies manslaughter and affray. The case continues.