A black British Army soldier drove his car at a group of Fijian comrades and then ‘slashed’ at them with a machete after a drunken row over why they were socialising with white colleagues, a court martial heard.
Bombardier Kevin Carasco allegedly became enraged when he thought his colleagues were conspiring to beat him up, challenging them to a fight and telling them: ‘You guys are going to know who I am.’
He got in his car and drove towards them ‘at high speed’ before jumping out armed with a weapon ‘the length of his forearm’ and trying ‘to stab everyone’, a military court heard.
The soldiers defended themselves with branches before Carasco tried to drive off. He was stopped by guards at the base where the altercation took place.
Carasco, of the Royal Artillery, denies two charges of attempted wounding with intent and affray.
Bombardier Kevin Carasco allegedly became annoyed when he thought his colleagues were conspiring to beat him up. Carasco is pictured arriving at a Bulford Military Court
Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire heard that the alleged attack took place at Baker Barracks on Thorney Island near Portsmouth, Hampshire, in July 2021.
Jim Carmichael, prosecuting, said: ‘A group of predominantly Fijian soldiers were drinking. Morale was high, but that all changed after the arrival of [Carasco].’
The court heard that as well as the Fijians – who included his friend Gunner Bachan Ceba – there were ‘English guys and a girl’ including Gunner Ethan Simpson.
‘(Carasco) was drinking and asked Gnr Ceba why they were drinking with “those white c***s”, but he ignored him and talked with the others in Fijian, talking about buying more drinks.
‘He then challenged him to a fight and asked if they wanted to “bang him out”.
‘[Carasco] threw a punch at Gnr Ceba, who then punched Carasco.’
The court heard that after Carasco left, the group at the smoking shelter saw him return in a blue Ford Focus driving at ‘high speed’ across the camp as it left the road, went over the kerb and pavement and across grass towards them.
Mr Carmichael said: ‘Gnr Ethan Simpson said people scattered, and he thought [Carasco] was going to drive straight through the shelter, but he veered to the side and stopped.
Carasco allegedly got in his car and drove towards a group of his comrades ‘at high speed’ following a row before jumping out armed with a weapon ‘the length of his forearm’ and trying ‘to stab everyone’, a military court heard
Gunner Bachan Ceba (pictured) was allegedly attacked by Carasco, who is accused of ‘slashing’ at him with a machete
‘Gnr Simpson said he was holding a machete-type knife. Gnr Ceba said Bdr Carasco was slashing at him with the machete from behind.
‘He chased those in the smoking shelter, wielding the machine in a threatening manner. It was clear his intent was to cause Gnr Ceba serious harm.
‘He turned to the others in the group, but no one was injured.
‘The Fijian group picked up branches. They struck Bdr Carasco, and they smashed the windows of his car. He tried to drive off but was stopped by three guards.
‘They saw the machete on the passenger seat.’
Gnr Ceba told the court: ‘I was drinking with some Fijian friends and some English guys and a girl. Carasco came back from clubbing as the light came up and came to join us in the smoking shed.
‘Carasco and I were good friends. He was a bit drunk when he joined us. We were just having a chat. Carasco asked me “why are you drinking with those white c***s?”.
All smiles: Carasco appears relaxed as he arrives at his hearing at Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire on Tuesday. He denies two charges of attempted wounding with intent and affray
‘I told him not to say that word as it was a bit racist.
‘One of the English guys heard and asked him why he said that. Carasco pushed him away and told him not to interrupt our conversation.’
Gnr Ceba said he was discussing buying more drinks with the group in Fijian, but Carasco was ‘angry’.
He said: ‘Carasco said “Do you guys plan on banging me out?” and we said we were talking about getting more drinks.
‘But he kept saying we were planning on banging him up. He put his hands behind his back and told us to punch him.’
Gnr Ceba told the court he stopped a fight between Carasco and another gunner. He said: ‘I saw Carasco bow down on the ground and said “You guys are going to know who I am”.
‘He stood up and said, “I’m going to get my knife and stab all of you”. He walked away, and I followed him to ask what he was saying.
‘He tried to punch me, and I blocked him and punched him in self-defence.
‘Carasco walked away – everyone thought the knife threat was a joke.
Bulford Military Court (pictured) heard Carasco had been was drinking and asked Gnr Ceba why they were drinking with “those white c***s”
‘But a few minutes later, I saw a car on the other side of the road coming towards us. It was going very fast, way over 20mph.’
Gnr Ceba said he warned everyone that the car was coming, Carasco stopped his blue Ford and opened the door, coming out with a machete as long as his forearm.
Gnr Ceba said: ‘He tried swinging at everyone and nearly got my back. Everyone was scared. He was trying to stab everyone.’
Gnr Simpson told the court: ‘He was going for one person – Bacha [Gnr Ceba]. He was jogging, running, swinging as he went after him.
‘All the Fijians picked up sticks and tried to knock the blade out of his hand. One of them picked up a massive log and hit Carasco in the ribs, winding him.
‘He went back to his car, and a Fijian smashed his window and tried to take the key out.’
Baker Barracks is the home of ground-based air defence specialists 12 and 16 Regiment Royal Artillery.
The trial continues.
