Soldiers lose libel case

Two soldiers have lost their High Court action over claims that they had an affair during an important Army exercise in the desert.

Sarah Pedder and Al Dummer claimed that nothing sexual happened between them during Operation Swift Sword in Oman in 2001.

The couple, of Wimbledon Street, Leicester, who were married in May after leaving their former partners, sued over two articles in the Evening Standard and the Daily Mail in February 2002.

Their solicitor-advocate, John Mackenzie, had told Mr Justice Gray in London that the stories were "wholly untrue and very very offensive".

He said that they alleged that the pair had a sexual relationship, including sexual intercourse, while in Oman with the Royal Corps of Signals.

The couple said that there was no physical contact until their return to the UK and sex did not occur for another two weeks.

They alleged that press coverage resulted in Captain Pedder, 28, being "thrown out" of the Army and 39-year-old Staff Sergeant Dummer being demoted after 20 years' service to corporal.

Mr Dummer grimaced at the jury`s unanimous verdict, which came after a two-week trial, but Ms Pedder showed no emotion.

The couple must now pay the newspapers costs bill, unofficially estimated at up to £500,000, and face bankruptcy.

They would not comment afterwards but Mr Mackenzie said: "We are very disappointed with the result. We will not be appealing." Associated Newspapers had denied libel pleading justification.

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