Ex-soldier apologises for lying about surviving bomb attack which killed Shropshire marine to make him 'look more of a catch'
A former soldier has apologised to the family of a fallen marine from Shropshire who was killed by a suspected suicide bomber in Afghanistan – after he admitted lying about surviving the attack.
Royal Marine Damian Davies, from Telford, who was with the Commando Logistics Regiment, was killed by a suspected 13-year-old suicide bomber in Helmand Province in December 2008.
Danny Hutchison, 43, claimed to have survived a suicide bomb attack seven years ago when his vehicle was destroyed by a "12-year-old suicide bomber carrying a wheelbarrow".
But he has now admitted making up the story to improve his chances with women and build on an actual injury suffered in a car accident in Scotland.
The former British Army clerk, of West Lothian, Scotland, had used pictures from a real bombing incident in Kabul to support his story.
The pictures he used were from an attack where three Royal Marines, including 27-year-old Mr Davies, were killed. Mr Davies left his wife Joanne and their son Matthew.
Sgt John Manuel, 38, from Gateshead, and Cpl Marc Birch, 26, from Northamptonshire, were also killed.
Mr Hutchison has now apologised to the families of those killed in the attack, after being snared by the Walter Mitty Hunters Club on Facebook.
In an open letter, published on the club's Facebook page, Mr Hutchison said: "I want to stand here, cap in hand and officially apologise whole heartedly for the lies I have told.
"One thing I never knew was the details of any marines etc or I wouldn't have used the pic from Google. It was a time in my life where I was low and yes indeed prob (sic) sad. However I deeply apologise to the family and friends that have been affected in this situation.
"It started as a thing with an ex to make me look more of a catch and not that my body was having issues after the original RTA in ballater (sic) where my chest was badly damaged."
In the past, he was photographed with Prince Harry, president of the Invictus Games for wounded servicemen and women, and took part in the US-organised Warrior Games last year where he won silver in wheelchair basketball.
He had been due to compete in this week's Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida, but is understood to have withdrawn citing health problems.
