Man charged with submarine shooting

A man has been charged with murder and three counts of attempted murder following a shooting on board nuclear submarine HMS Astute in Southampton last week.

Lieutenant Commander Ian Molyneux from Wigan was shot dead on the submarine while it was docked in the city on Friday.

Lieutenant Commander Christopher Hodge was also shot and remains in hospital.

22-year-old Able Seaman Ryan Samuel Donovan from Dartford is due to appear before magistrates in Southampton on later today.

The Royal Navy serviceman has also been charged with the attempted murders of Petty Officer Christopher Brown, Chief Petty Officer David McCoy, and Lieutenant Commander Hodge, Hampshire Police said.

Nick Hawkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Having reviewed the evidence, I am satisfied that there is sufficient to charge and that it is in the public interest to do so.”

The shootings took place early on Friday afternoon (April 8) as local dignitaries – including the city council`s mayor, chief executive and leader – were being given a tour of HMS Astute, which was on a five-day official visit to Southampton.

The submarine was named and launched by the Duchess of Cornwall in June 2007 before being welcomed into the Royal Navy in August last year.