Soldier sentenced for prison abuse

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Lynndie England -- the US soldier pictured holding a leash attached to a naked Iraqi inmate at Abu Ghraib prison in a scandal that prompted global outrage -- was sentenced yesterday to three years in prison and given a dishonorable discharge.

In sentencing testimony, England, who had faced a maximum nine years behind bars, apologized for her actions and said she remained an American patriot.

''After the photos were released, I've heard that attacks were made on US armed forces because of them," she said.

''I apologize to coalition forces and all the families," England told the jury of five officers, and also apologized to ''detainees, the families, America, and all the soldiers."

England, 22, was convicted Monday of six counts. All include the language of ''wrongfully posing for a photograph."

The former West Virginia chicken factory worker blamed Charles Graner, the ringleader and father of her child, for her involvement. ''I was embarrassed because I was used by Private Graner; I didn't realize it at the time," she said, speaking slowly and sometimes pausing at length to gather her thoughts. ''I trusted him and I loved him."

England's mother showed up briefly with the 11-month-old baby, and the Army reservist talked at length about how the child has changed her life.

England's testimony and the appearance of the baby was a clear last effort to humanize a woman whose face is known worldwide but who has said little in public. Her lawyer, Captain Jonathan Crisp, asked the jury to remember the baby and not sentence England to prison.

The prosecution asked the jury for a sentence of four to six years. ''I cannot think of another incident that has more tarnished the image of the US Army," Captain Chris Graveline said.

England's case was the latest prosecution involving low-level soldiers who served at Abu Ghraib.