AN Iraq war veteran who was arrested during a police drugs operation has escaped jail.

Apr 18 2010 by Jasbir Authi, Sunday Mercury

A court heard how Former Irish Guardsman Karl Withey, aged 27, who was involved in the storming of Basra Palace, turned into a heroin addict after suffering post traumatic syndrome.

Withey, of Marlow Road, Bolehall, Tamworth, Staffordshire, admitted eight charges of supplying heroin and was given a two year community order and must undergo drug treatment.