AN inquest into the death of a Notts soldier has today recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

Rifleman Adrian Sheldon, a member of 2nd Battalion the Rifles, was killed on May 7, 2009, while he was on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

The 25-year-old from Kirkby-in-Ashfield died after the 4x4 Jackal vehicle he was travelling in was hit by an explosion.

He was part of a patrol of six vehicles making their way back to the Inkerman base after visiting a village called Sadul Kariz when the explosion happened.

Rifleman Sheldon was driving the vehicle at the rear of the patrol.

The inquest at Nottingham Coroner's Court heard from Lieutenant Thomas Parry, who was the patrol commander.

He said the ground had been screened for explosive devices using metal detectors.

Lt Parry was at the front of the vehicles and couldn't get enough power to get up a steep river bank so he had to negotiate an alternative crossing and the other vehicles followed him.

It was while they were following him that the explosion happened.

Lt Parry said: "Coming round the hill I lost sight of the rear section of the patrol and that's when I heard and saw a large explosion over my left shoulder.

"I could not see the vehicle that had been hit but I could see the plume of smoke and heard a large explosion."