BRAWL QUIET ON THE HOME FRONT; Iraq jibe squaddies go free.

Byline: By JAMES TAIT

THREE Black Watch squaddies have walked free after savagely battering two men who accused them of killing Iraqi babies.

Ian Brown, 22, David Heron, 23, and John Mitchell, 22, beat their victims unconscious at the end of a boozy night on the town.

Just weeks earlier, the soldiers had come home from a tough tour of duty in Iraq - including a stint at the notorious Camp Dogwood.

But they were collared after the brutal attack, near their barracks in Warminster, Wilts, was caught on CCTV.

And Brown and Heron, of Dundee, and Mitchell, from Armagh, Northern Ireland, later admitted affray as they appeared at Chippenham Magistrates Court.

This week, the trio were accused of disgracing their regiment as they were each sentenced to 120 hours' community service at Swindon Crown Court.

Having studied video footage of the beatings, Judge John McNaught told them: "What I have just seen is sickening, horrible violence.

"I am satisfied that you were taunted in a very stupid manner but you are trained to have self-discipline.

"You have let yourself down and sullied the name of your regiment."

Defence lawyer Sarah Regan had said they were provoked by Alexander Graham and Jason Bevis.

She added: "They said the defendants had been in Iraq killing babies."

Last night, an Army spokesman said: "These men have been convicted by a civilian court.

"Their commanding officer will look at the findings and will decide what, if any, further action may be necessary."

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BEATINGS: Brown, Heron and Mitchell