US Marine sergeant jailed for rape

CALIFORNIA: The US Marine sergeant arrested for raping, maiming and trying to drown a US Navy petty officer in Phuket in May has been sentenced to 25 years in military prison. Thomas Wolf, 26, on November 13 pleaded guilty to one count of attempted murder, rape and maiming, and two counts of assault in connection with the May 8 attack on a female sailor, the Oceanside-based North County Times newspaper reported. The military judge, Lt Col Steven Immel, initially sentenced Wolf to life in prison without parole. But under a pretrial agreement, Wolf would serve no more than 25 years, and any additional prison sentence would be suspended. Wolf remains in the brig at the Camp Pendleton Marine base. Lt Gen Michael Hagee will decide the final sentence, a process that could take several months, said a base spokesman.