British soldiers plead guilty over NYPD fight
Four British soldiers have pleaded guilty to low-level offences in a fight that injured an off-duty policeman outside a New York City bar.
Court records show Ratu-losefo Yavala pleaded guilty today to misdemeanor assault and petit larceny. Thomas Shute admitted misdemeanor assault.
Mosese Kurulala and Iliakini Raderua pleaded guilty to violations, not crimes.
The four were sentenced to community service and fines.
Defence lawyer Seema Iyer called Yavala “a total gentleman”.
The other soldiers’ lawyers could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Court records concerning two other soldiers arrested in the August 30 confrontation are not available. All were on a military rugby team trip.
Criminal complaints say the victim was punched and his mobile phone taken.
The British Defence Ministry has declined to comment on the soldiers’ status.
