Benjamin Roberts-Smith VC MG is an Australian businessman and former Australian Army soldier who was awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia (VC), the country’s highest accolade.
While serving with the Special Air Service Regiment in Afghanistan, Roberts-Smith was awarded a VC for his conduct during a helicopter attack in Tizak on 11 June 2010 as part of an offensive in the Shah Wali Kot region.
Roberts-Smith became the most decorated serving member of the Australian Defence Force after receiving the medal and the Medal of Gallantry during a tour of Afghanistan in 2006.
The Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, presented him with the VC at a ceremony in Perth in January.
What was Ben Roberts-Smith Accused of?
According to the court, Ben Roberts-Smith is accused of ‘intimidating witnesses’ in the war crimes investigation.
Ben Roberts-Smith allegedly struck a woman he was having an affair with within the face and refused to take her to the hospital when she pleaded for help,
and then snapped naked images of her while she slept, according to the woman’s testimony in federal court.
The former girlfriend of ex-soldier Ben Roberts-Smith told the court she was scared of what he would do to her if she upset him.
The lady, known only as Person 17, testified about a tumultuous six-month relationship she had with the former SAS member.
She claims he forced her to lie about him beating her, ordering her to claim she had a black eye after falling down the stairs.
What did Ben Roberts-Smith get the Victoria Cross for?
As a Patrol Second-in-Command, Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER, Corporal Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross for most distinguished heroism in action in circumstances of severe jeopardy.
Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) in 2011 and the Medal for Gallantry (MG) in 2006, making him the most decorated serving member of the Australian Defence Force.
