Rifleman's inquest resumes

An inquest into the death of a soldier killed by a sniper while on patrol in Iraq is due to resume.

Rifleman Daniel Coffey, 21, from Cullompton, Devon, was shot through his helmet in the back of the head while serving in Basra in February last year.

The hearing, conducted by Exeter and Greater Devon coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland, continues at Devon County Hall in Exeter.

The inquest has already heard that Rifleman Coffey was in an armoured Bulldog vehicle when he was killed.

He was providing "top cover" for the patrol, standing with his head and shoulders exposed outside the hatch of his vehicle while keeping watch.

The sniper weapon which killed him was used to injure six other servicemen in Iraq, the inquest heard.

It was not known what kind of weapon the steel-jacketed tracer round came from.

Rifleman Coffey died when a 5.6mm round, which could have been fired from up to 100 yards away, hit his helmet.

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