THE first British soldier to be charged with the murder of a civilian in Iraq appeared in court yesterday.

Trooper Kevin Lee Williams, 21, assigned to the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, is accused of murdering Hassan Abbad Said on or before August 3 last year, in Ay-Dayr, south-east Iraq.

The soldier, who is being moved to Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, was granted bail during a brief hearing at Bow Street Magistrates' Court in central London.

Mr Said, also known as Hassan Abdul Said, is believed to have been shot while being arrested in the British zone of southern Iraq.

Lawyers for the dead man's family said Mr Said was carrying a licensed handgun when he was approached by British soldiers investigating an altercation between the drivers of two cars.

Mr Said, a married lawyer with nine children, died on the way to hospital from gunshot wounds to his chest.

The Attorney General asked detectives from Scotland Yard to investigate the case in May.

The Yard's Homicide Command, part of the Specialist Crime Directorate, prepared a file and Tpr Williams was arrested yesterday morning on the advice of the Crown Prosecution Service and brought to court. Dressed in a dark blue suit and open necked blue shirt, Tpr Williams spoke only to confirm his name and age. His address was not given in court.

Deborah Walsh, prosecuting, had no objection to Tpr Williams being granted bail.

He was bailed on condition that he stayed at Knightsbridge barracks last night and thereafter at Catterick Garrison, which he may not leave except by permission of an officer.

Tpr Williams must report daily to the Royal Military Police at Catterick barracks, surrender his passport and undergo an examination carried out by two medical practitioners.

He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on September 28.

A spokeswoman for the Attorney General's office said Tpr Williams was the only British soldier being dealt with in the civilian courts.

His arrest comes after Private Alexander Johnston, of the 1st Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, was last month charged with the unlawful wounding of a 13-year-old shot in al-Uzayr, south of Amarah, last September and is to face a court martial.

Royal Fusiliers Lance Corporal Darren Larkin, Corporal Daniel Kenyon, Fusilier Gary Bartlam and Lance Corporal Mark Cooley will also appear before a court martial on January 10 accused of abusing Iraqis.

Referring to Tpr Williams' case in Parliament, Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said: "This case was brought to my attention after charges were dismissed by the soldier's commanding officer.

"This meant the case could not be tried by court martial.

"I referred it to the CPS who asked the Metropolitan Police for assistance in collecting further evidence."

The 2nd Tank regiment is stationed at Lumsden barracks, in Fallingbostel, Germany, as part of the 7th Armoured Brigade (Desert Rats).