Six British soldiers in town for a rugby match against the NYPD have been arrested for allegedly beating up and robbing an off-duty American police officer in New York City.
Sky News reports the Royal Regiment of Scotland soldiers were at a bar in Manhattan Friday when the police officer began chatting with a woman who was with the troops. The BBC reports the soldiers are Fijan nationals serving in the 1st Scots Guard.
BBC reports three of the soldiers, Joeli Raduva, 34, Filipe Vunisarati, 24, and Mosese Kurulala, 27, are accused of striking the 30-year-old victim “repeatedly about the face and body with closed fists.”
A fourth soldier Ratu-Iosefo Yavala, 33, allegedly grabbed the man’s cell phone and a chain around his neck when he tried to call 911. Two others, Iliakini Raderua, 30, and Thomas Shute, 34, are accused of hitting the victim when he was on the ground.
One of the soldiers was charged with robbery and assault and the other five were charged with assault.
A spokesman for Britain’s defense ministry tells Sky News the soldiers may face disciplinary action back home for the incident.
"All those who are found to fall short of the Army's high standards will face disciplinary action, up to and including discharge, if appropriate,” he said.
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