For the primary time in Ben Roberts-Smith's defamation trial a soldier has given proof in assist of the Victoria Cross recipient.
A retired member of the Particular Air Service Regiment, referred to as Individual 5, took to the stand right this moment and contradicted allegations of battle crimes in Afghanistan.
The primary witness in Mr Roberts-Smith's camp is certainly one of his good associates - a former soldier who joined the British Marines earlier than transferring to the SAS in 2002.
He was patrol commander of Afghanistan in 2009 and hand-picked Mr Roberts-Smith to be his second in cost.
Central to the defamation trial is a raid on the Whiskey 108 compound, during which weapons and a hidden tunnel had been found.
In the present day, Individual 5 testified it was searched and cleared, contradicting allegations reported by 9 Newspapers that two Afghans surrendered from the opening, together with a person with a prosthetic leg who was allegedly executed by Mr Roberts-Smith.
It is alleged the second detainee was shot lifeless by a junior trooper on the directions of Individual 5, who comrades claimed wished to "blood the rookie" - a time period for brand spanking new members getting their first kill in battle.
Requested whether or not he'd ever used the time period or made these orders, the witness replied "by no means".
In a shocking transfer, the barrister for 9 Newspapers referred to as for a few of Individual 5's proof to be thrown out as a result of it raised a brand new model of occasions that the writer's witnesses weren't quizzed on.
The choose will think about it, however within the meantime the previous soldier can be again tomorrow.