FORMER British soldier Dennis Hutchings has asked to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights in a bid to block historical attempted murder charges relating to his service in the north of Ireland being brought against him.

Lawyers for the 79-year-old army veteran have written to Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis seeking permission to approach the Strasbourg court, claiming discrimination and a breach of his human rights.

The former member of the Life Guards regiment faces prosecution for the attempted murder of John Patrick Cunningham in June 1974.