US sergeant admits firing at Afghans ‘for kicks’

An American Army sergeant pleaded guilty today to shooting at unarmed Afghans.

Robert Stevens, of Portland, Oregon, admitted aggravated assault and lying to investigators at his court martial. He made a deal with prosecutors which means he must testify against other defendants accused of killing civilians "for kicks".

Stevens said that in March he followed an order from Staff Sgt Calvin Gibbs to shoot at two unarmed Afghans in a field. They were not injured.

Gibbs is accused of leading a "kill team" to carry out unprovoked attacks. He insists the shootings were justified.

"When SSG Gibbs called for us to fire I knew there was not a threat, and that there was no reason to shoot these guys," Stevens said in a statement.

"I was extremely thankful to find out that we had not killed or wounded either of those two individuals."

Stevens was being sentenced later today.