Black soldier cleared of ‘hitting’ group of Fijian friends with machete in drunken argument over why they associated with white colleagues
- Kevin Carasco has been acquitted of two charges after a five-day trial
- He was accused of ‘hewing’ at a group of colleagues in a row with a machete
A black British Army soldier was cleared of ‘beating’ a group of Fijian colleagues with a machete after a drunken argument over why they were associating with white colleagues.
Bombardier Kevin Carasco was accused of becoming enraged when he thought his comrades were conspiring to beat him up, provoking them to a fight and telling them ‘you will know who I am’.
It was alleged that he got into his car and drove towards them “at high speed” before jumping out armed with a weapon “as long as his forearm” and trying to “stab everyone.”
Bdr Carasco claimed he acted in self-defense and denied two charges of attempted wounding with intent and brawl.
Now, after a five-day trial and four-hour deliberations in Bulford Military Court, Bdr Carasco has been cleared of both charges.
Bombardier Kevin Carasco was accused of becoming enraged when he believed his comrades were conspiring to beat him up
After a five-day trial and four-hour deliberations in Bulford Military Court, Bdr Carasco has been acquitted of both charges.
Bulford Military Court (pictured)
Prosecutor Jim Carmichael had previously told the court that the alleged attack took place at Baker Barracks near Portsmouth, Hampshire, in July 2021.
“A group of mostly Fijian soldiers were drinking. Morale was high, but that all changed after the arrival of (Bdr Carasco),’ he said.
The court heard that in addition to the Fijians – including his friend Gunner Bachan Ceba – there were ‘English boys and a girl’, including Gunner Ethan Simpson.
“(Bdr Carasco) was drinking and asked Gunner Ceba why they were drinking with ‘those white c***s’ but he ignored him and talked to the others in Fijan, talking about buying more drinks,” he continued.
He then challenged him to a fight and asked if they would “knock him out.”
“(Bdr Carasco) threw a punch at Gunner Ceba, who then punched Carasco.”
The court heard that after Bdr Carasco left, the group at the smokehouse saw him return in a blue Ford Focus driving at ‘high speed’ through the camp as it left the road, over the curb and sidewalk and over grass towards them drove up.
He then allegedly got out of the car armed with a machete and started ‘slicing’ at people.
The court heard that the Fijian soldiers defended themselves with branches, hit Bdr Carasco in the ribs and smashed his car window.
