A FORMER Helmsley schoolboy faces a charge of desertion after going absent without leave from the British Army because of his objections to the war in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, who spent much of his teenage life in Ryedale but now lives in New Earswick, York, went AWOL rather than serve his second tour of duty in the troubled country.

The married 27-year-old, who is a member of the Royal Logistic Corps, handed himself in after being absent for two years and six days and has since been on leave, but could spend two years in a civilian jail if the allegation is proven.

He has said his opposition to the war meant he could not go back to Afghanistan.

Although he has not entered a formal plea to the charge levelled against him, defence counsel Hugh O’Donoghue told a preliminary hearing at a military court in Budford Camp in Salisbury that he would deny deserting.

He added that he may call an expert witness to give evidence on the lawfulness of service and the current Afghan operations.

Military prosecutor Captain Gemma Sayer said the Army was considering an additional charge connected to Lance Corporal Glenton’s alleged desertion and that the soldier would be interviewed by military police.

She also plans to call witnesses, mostly sergeants, who are currently serving in Afghanistan and Kuwait, while medical evidence will also be heard.

Judge Advocate Alastair McGrigor adjourned the case for another preliminary hearing to take place on September 4. Lance Corporal Glenton, who was wearing military fatigues, did not make a comment as he was escorted to and from the court.

He will now return to normal duties with his regiment at his base in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

Having joined the Army in 2004, Lance Corporal Glenton – a former Helmsley Primary School pupil – went absent without leave in 2007 before handing himself in after two years and six days, having previously served a seven-month tour in Afghanistan.

Last week, he handed in a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown in Downing Street calling for British troops to be brought home from the conflict, saying his fellow soldiers had become “a tool of American foreign policy”.