Plymouth murder-charge Royal Marines will appear in court on Monday

FIVE Royal Marines charged with the murder of an Afghan national will appear in front of a judge on Monday.

More details of the case emerged last night as the Service Prosecuting Authority released a statement with particulars of the offence.

The charge was detailed as "committing a criminal offence contrary to section 42 of the Armed Forces Act 2006, namely murder".

It is alleged that on, or about, September 15 2011, the commandos murdered an unknown Afghan national. A preliminary and custody hearing will be held before the Judge Advocate General, His Honour Judge Blackett, at Colchester Military Court Centre.

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It follows news, revealed by The Herald on Friday, that the five appeared behind closed doors in Bulford Military Court Centre on Monday October 15.

The judge advocate, Judge Elsom, made an order prohibiting the identification of the commandos on the grounds there was a "real and immediate risk to their lives". During the hearing the judge also granted a custody application to keep the men remanded until Monday October 22.

All of the marines, who were serving with 3 Commando Brigade whose headquarters are in Stonehouse, were represented and appeared in person.

Monday's case will be a public hearing but the court may have to go into chambers (private).

At the hearing, the Judge Advocate General will review the decision to remand the marines in custody and deal with any other matters including the anonymity order.

The arrests were made after footage was discovered on a serviceman's laptop after he was arrested for a separate civilian matter.

Four further commandos were arrested following the allegations but released without charge pending further enquiries.