A LAWYER representing a former soldier who allegedly shot dead two of his colleagues in Iraq is appealing for him to be tried in the UK.

John Tipple, of Harwich solicitors Linn and Associates, arrived in Baghdad on Monday morning to meet Daniel Fitzsimons, a private security guard and former Parachute Regiment sniper based at Colchester.

Mr Fitzgerald, who was working for ArmorGroup, is charged with the murders of colleagues Paul McGuigan, a 37-year-old former Royal Marine, and Darren Hoare, an Australian father-of-three.

If found guilty, he could be hanged.

Mr Tipple, who lives in Ramsey and has been Mr Fitzgerald’s lawyer for seven years, wants the UK Government to intervene so he can be tried in the UK.

“Considering the situation, Daniel is holding up very well,” said Mr Tipple, who has worked at the Harwich firm for nearly ten years.

“He needs to be brought home. We are very worried that Daniel will not be given a fair trial here.

“I arrived on Monday and hope to see him today to give him legal advice and to comfort him as well.

“He is facing the death penalty. Who can imagine what it can do to your state of mind.”

Mr Fitzsimons, 29, who left the Parachute Regiment in 2004, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in June.

He is being held in Baghdad’s international Green Zone.

The UK government has been asked by Mr Tilley and his team to help secure Mr Fitsimon’s transfer.

He said: “We have asked them to intervene and bring him back to the UK, but we are still waiting for an official response.

“The conditions he is being held in at the moment are tolerable. He told me the Iraqi guards are kind to him.

“But if he is taken out of the Green Zone, I will be extremely concerned he won’t survive and we simply won’t hear of him again.”

A trial date has yet to be set.