'I give my liver and brain cells a good hiding' BOASTS OF 'MURDER' BRIT IN IRAQ.

Byline: CHRIS HUGHES; LAURA ARMSTRONG

A BRITISH guard held in Baghdad for allegedly killing two colleagues was hooked on drink and drugs.

Ex-Para Danny Fitzsimons may face the death penalty if convicted of shooting dead two fellow exsoldiers during a drunken row.

The 29-year-old was arrested by Iraqi police on Sunday suspected of murdering Paul McGuigan, from Innerleithen, Peeblesshire, and Australian Darren Hoare. Both were 37. A witness added: "They had a big argument and suddenly Fitzsimons pulled out a gun and shot his two friends."

Fitzsimons has admitted he is obsessed with drugs and booze. He wrote on Facebook: "When I come home from each rotation I give my liver, kidneys and braincells a good hiding." His friends at home in Middleton, Manchester, said he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving eight years in war zones with 2 Para.

Fitzsimons and the two dead men all worked for security firm Armor-Group Iraq. Last night, a colleague of Mr McGuigan, who joined the firm in 2003, described him as "a man mountain".

He added: "We will miss his laughter, stories and his friendship. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones, his unborn child and all of us will miss him."

Mr McGuigan, whose partner is expecting his second child, went to Peebles High School before he joined the Royal Marines in 1990.

His mum Corinne Boyd-Russell, from Innerleithen, was too upset to comment. His dad John lives in Ireland and his sister is in Australia.

Last night, the Iraqi Interior ministry said: "Fitzsimons will be tried under Iraqi law, which could result in execution."

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ADDICT He turned to drugs ACCUSED Danny Fitzsimons was arrested for murder