Disgraced soldier loses bid to keep job

File photo / NZ Herald

A soldier has lost his bid to keep his job after he was dismissed for trying to coerce two women into sending him raunchy photos and videos

Staff Sergeant Darron Anthony Owen Wills, 50, was dismissed from his job after he tried to con two lower ranked officers into sending him erotic photos and videos in 2013.

Wills pretended to be a contractor photographer, offering to buy pictures of the women posing in their underwear and tight sports clothes, for magazines.

At the time of the offending, Wills was in an administration role at the Linton camp.

Wills pleaded guilty at a Court Martial in September last year, was dismissed from his job, and was ordered to pay both women $1000 each for emotional harm reparations.

The soldier then appealed against this decision at the Court Martial Appeal Court in Wellington last month.

At the hearing, Wills' lawyer Paul Murray argued that at Wills' original hearing mitigating factors, such as Wills' remorse, early guilty plea and his offer to engage in restorative justice,weren't taken into account, as the judge did not believe a starting point could be taken from dismissal.

He said a reduction in rank would have been a more appropriate sentence.

However Major Ben Bateman, who appeared on behalf of the New Zealand Defence Force, said it was not "tolerable or realistic" for Mr Wills to stay in service.

He argued that given Wills' offending, it would not be appropriate for him to have a reduced rank, and said dismissal was the only appropriate sentence.

In a written judgement released by Court Martial Appeal Court judge, Justice Stephen Kos today, Wills' appeal was dismissed.

In the judgement, Justice Kos said it "would not be tolerable" for the Defence Force to retain the services of Wills.

He said the court did not consider it would be realistic for Wills to remain in service at a reduced rank.

"We cannot see reduction in rank being a realistic response, excusing the need for dismissal... the sentence imposed was not excessive. Rather, it was inevitable."