A SOLDIER who went absent without leave for more than two years has lost a challenge against his sentence.

Joe Glenton, a Royal Logistic Corps soldier, from York, was given a nine-month custodial term and demoted to private from lance corporal after admitting going absent without leave.

Court of Appeal judges yesterday*WED* ruled the sentence was not excessive.

Protestors have held vigils outside Colchester’s Military Corrective Training Centre where the 27-year-old has so far served 75 days of his sentence.