A BRITISH soldier has been charged with second degree murder in Canada after allegedly killing a man in a bar fight.
Corporal Craig Gibson, 28, is accused of attacking Canadian Brett Sheffield after boozing in downtown Toronto last month.
Sheffield, 38, was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries but never regained consciousness.
Documents seen by The Sun allege Cpl Gibson struck Sheffield once “with an elbow to the upper jaw which ultimately caused the victim to be rendered unconscious”.
Sheffield was declared brain dead and died two days later.
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A tribute to Sheffield posted online called it a “random act of violence”.
His colleagues at NextGen Drainage, a company he founded, said: "Brett Sheffield passed away on August 30 due to a random act of violence.
"His absence is felt deeply across the community, our company, and his vast network of friends and colleagues.
"Brett’s passion for helping every person feel valued and cared for, will continue to motivate us."
Cpl Gibson was arrested on Aug 28 suspicion of aggravated assault and later charged with second degree murder after Sheffield died in hospital.
Cpl Gibson, who served in Iraq, was in Canada as part of a military exercise.
He had been drinking with a comrade from 4 Scots, the Highlanders, when the fight broke out in a bar called Locals Only in Toronto’s Entertainment District.
A defence source said Cpl Gibson, from Dalry, North Ayrshire, was seen arguing with a man on CCTV before he allegedly lashed out shortly before 11.30pm on Aug 28.
Initially Toronto police said the suspect had fled the scene while medics raced the Sheffield to hospital with “life threatening injuries”.
Moments later they said he had been arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault.
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The victim was declared brain dead on Aug 30.
Gibson appeared in a Toronto bail court on Monday, where he was charged with second-degree murder.
An Army spokesperson said: “We can confirm a British soldier has been arrested for alleged aggravated assault by the Toronto Police, following an incident in Toronto, Canada.
"Our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this time.
"As the matter is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Canadian authorities, it would be inappropriate to comment further."
