Gulf hero’s cocaine rap

A GULF War hero faces the boot from the Army after being arrested for allegedly having cocaine. Corporal Shaun Jardine, 22, was said to have possessed the drug dubbed Bolivian marching powder when stopped by cops outside a nightclub. His arrest came six months after he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for storming two Iraqi gun positions single-handed while under fire. Jardine, who serves with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers, was arrested in the early hours outside the M20 Nightclub, in Ashford, Kent. He is currently training at a base in nearby Lydd prior to a tour in Northern Ireland. Police allegedly found white powder on the soldier while searching him after a tip-off. Jardine was held on suspicion of possessing a Class A substance and bailed until December 10. If the powder is cocaine, police could either charge or caution him. He would then face a court martial and automatic dismissal from the Army. Jardine, of Dumfries, Scotland, was a rising star in the Army. The corporal, who signed up at 17, was awarded Britains second-highest bravery honour, after the Victoria Cross, for his courage in southern Iraq last year. Modest Jardine did not mention his heroism to his family until he was awarded the medal in April. One of Jardines colleagues said last night:

‘This arrest is a tragedy for Shaun and his family.  He has a brilliant career in front of him’.

With acknowledgements to The Sun