The number of British soldiers convicted at Court Martial has risen by nearly 60% in less than a decade, research by Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood has found.
A Freedom of Information request to the Ministry of Defence found that 370 people were convicted in 2000, and this figure steadily rose until reaching a peak of 590 in 2008.
The MOD also revealed that more than 200 soldiers are regularly discharged from the British army for misconduct every year.
South Wales Central Leanne Wood AM said: “With the fierce fighting in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, the UK army is probably under more strain now than it has been for decades.
“The death toll is rising with every month and countless numbers who have been maimed in combat. Previous research carried out by my office has found that mental health is an increasing problem for the army with nearly one in ten soldiers assessed for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder being discharged between 2007 and 2009.
“There are also a disproportionately high number of ex-Army personnel in prison or living homeless on the streets.
“I would question whether soldiers are receiving the levels of support they require in light of the mental trauma they sometimes face on a daily basis?”
Ms Wood added: “Right from the outset, Plaid Cymru has campaigned to end the war in Afghanistan to bring the troops home. We have also called for a network of support for serving soldiers, ex-soldiers and their families.
“Given the high numbers of soldiers that join the British Army from Wales, the MOD should be contributing to the £485,000 the Welsh Assembly Government spends annually on the new all-Wales service for army veterans.”
