Coldstream Guards deny plot to sell ammunition to undercover police officer

Two serving members of the elite Coldstream Guards will deny claims that they plotted to sell ammunition to an undercover police officer, a court heard on Thursday.

Kirtland Gill, 40, and Rajon Graham, 32, are accused of working together in a conspiracy to sell 300 bullets for a 9mm luger pistol in December 2020 and January this year.

Gill, who also faces a separate weapons charge, was announced in December as the first black soldier to lead the Coldstream Guards as its Regimental Sergeant Major.

The Iraq and Afghan war veteran was due to take up the post in April, but he and Graham were arrested in January and charges against them were announced at the start of last month.

They both appeared in the dock at Westminster magistrates court for a brief first appearance, speaking only to confirm their identities.

“It’s a conspiracy to sell prohibited ammunition”, prosecutor Jason Seetal told the court.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said of Gill: “Not guilty pleas will be entered”, and said Graham has put forward a “denial of the conspiracy”.

Graham is accused of selling bullets to the undercover officer – known only as ‘D’ – in four separate transactions, allegedly handing over 50 rounds of ammunition on December 7 and again on December 17, and then allegedly delivering 100 bullets on each of January 13 and 28.

The soldiers, who both live in Berkshire, have been ordered not to speak to each other under the conditions of their bail.

The Coldstream Guards are instantly recognisable thanks to their red jackets and black bearskin hats, and have a ceremonial role as protectors of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace.

The unit is the oldest continuously serving regiment in the British Army.

Judge Goldspring released Gill and Graham on bail until the next hearing at Southwark crown court on July 29.

They are jointly charged with conspiracy to sell or transfer ammunition between December 2, 2020 and January 30, 2021.

Gill is accused of possession of a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid, and Graham is accused of four counts of selling or transferring ammunition. No formal pleas were entered on Thursday.

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