The shooting of civilians on Bloody Sunday by a former paratrooper and his platoon were "unjustified" and "gratuitous", the veteran's murder trial has heard.

Soldier F, who cannot be identified, is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney on 30 January 1972.

The day saw members of the Parachute Regiment shoot dead 13 civil rights protesters on the streets of Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

The veteran is also charged with five attempted murders during the incident in Derry's Bogside area, namely of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon, Patrick O'Donnell and a person unknown.

He has pleaded not guilty to the seven counts.

Soldier F's long-awaited trial began at Belfast Crown Court on Monday. The non-jury case is being heard by judge Patrick Lynch.

Before the trial began,

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