Former British soldier arrested in Wiltshire in connection with Kenya murder investigation
The National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested Robert James Purkiss, 38, in Tidworth on November 6
A former British soldier wanted by Kenyan authorities in connection to an alleged murder in 2012 has been arrested in Wiltshire.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) arrested 38-year-old, Robert James Purkiss, in Tidworth on November 6 following the issue of an extradition warrant in September.
Robert James Purkiss, of Greater Manchester appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (November 7) for the beginning of extradition proceedings.
Purkiss, 38, told the Court he does not consent to his extradition to the African nation, after the Kenyan director of public prosecutions said he was wanted for the alleged murder of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru in 2012.
An inquest in 2018 concluded Ms Wanjiru was murdered by British soldiers after her body was discovered in a septic tank behind a hotel near a British Army base, two months after she disappeared.
A post mortem examination identified a 2cm stab wound to the lower abdomen and a collapsed lung.
At a hearing today David Josse KC, for Purkiss, said the former soldier "vehemently denies" murder and has received Ministry of Defence funding to help pay for his defence.
Home Office barrister Joel Smith KC told the court Purkiss was a soldier who was stationed in Kenya for a six-week training exercise at the time of the alleged murder.
Purkiss was remanded into custody, with his next court appearance scheduled to take place at the same court on November 14.