British soldier acquitted in Iraq beating

LONDON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A British soldier has been cleared of causing serious injury to an Iraqi prisoner in Basra in 2003.

A court-martial board in Wiltshire found that prosecutors failed to prove their case against Sgt. Kelvin Stacey, The Independent reported. Stacey is one of seven members of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment charged in the case, including Col. Jorge Mendonca, the former commander.

Stacey still faces a charge of common assault.

The defendants face charges that include manslaughter against one soldier who has admitted inhumane treatment but denied the more serious charge. Mendonca and two other officers are charged with negligence for not ensuring that detainees were treated properly.