Anti-Afghan war soldier leaves jail

Private Joe Glenton, who fled to Asia in mid-2007 before he was due to start a second tour, was jailed for nine months in March but released early because of good behaviour.

The 27-year-old served his time at the Military Corrective Training Centre – nicknamed the Glasshouse – in Colchester.

The former soldier's wife Clare said: "I have been waiting for this day for a long time. It's been tough but we have got through it."

Pte Glenton, who took part in an anti-war demonstration last year, now plans to study peace studies at Leeds Metropolitan University.

His lawyers had told his trial he suffered from post traumatic stress disorder after a seventh-month tour in the war zone in 2006.

A psychiatrist revealed to the court how Pte Glenton had suffered nightmares about coffins lined up for dead servicemen and he would wake up screaming.

He went awol after his protestations at being ordered back to Afghanistan after nine months were ignored and he said he had been bullied.

Pte Glenton, who admitted being awol, was also stripped of his rank of Lance Corporal.