A SOLDIER from Bolton will face a court martial in September after being charged with a war crime while serving in Iraq.

Private Darren Fallon, aged 22, and two other members of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment have been accused of inhumane treatment of detainees.

They are the first British troops to be charged under new war crimes legislation introduced five years ago.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence today confirmed the court martial will take place at the Bulford Army Base in Hampshire on September 4.

It is alleged that Private Fallon and Lance Corporal Wayne Crowcroft, aged 21, carried out a number of assaults on Iraqi prisoners arrested following a planned operation.

They are said to have inhumanely treated internees, who sustained injuries following repeated assaults.

Corporal Donald Payne, aged 34, also faces an allegation of manslaughter.

One of the detainees, hotel receptionist Baha Da'oud Salim Mousa, was allegedly inhumanely treated and killed by Corporal Payne.

He now faces charges of manslaughter, inhumane treatment of persons and perverting the course of justice.

The family and friends of Private Fallon spoke of their disbelief at the charges when they were first revealed in July, last year.

His father Trevor, from Darwen, said he "could not believe it".

Mr Fallon said his son, who is currently based in Cyprus was "so young" and added: "We are still shocked.

"He only went in the army at 19 and then straight to Iraq. This is a very hard time."

Private Fallon's uncle, who works at a Darwen pub, where Darren was in the pool team, also said he was angry at the allegations.

Michael Fallon, aged 41, said: "I am proud of my nephew. He is a lovely lad.

"It is a sad shame what is happening to him."

Private Fallon's mother, who lives in Breightmet, said she did not want to comment on the matter.

Private Fallon is an ex-Darwen Moorland High School pupil.

The case against the three soldiers relates to incidents in the southern city of Basra between September 13 and 15, 2003.

They are the first British troops to be charged with war crimes under the terms of the International Criminal Court Act 2001.

Brigadier Geoffrey Sheldon, colonel of The Queen's Lancashire Regiment, said this was "an isolated, tragic incident which should never have happened".

He said Basra in September 2003 was an "intensely dangerous and violently difficult city."