TWO men have appeared in court charged in connection with the death of a soldier near Minnies nightclub in Haverfordwest.

L/Cpl Kinnon Arrigo Ragni, aged 29, from Edinburgh, died at Withybush Hospital at 2.40am last Thursday after an alleged knife attack in Friars Lane, 25 minutes earlier.

Mark Donald Campbell, aged 34, from Glasgow, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates Court last week charged with the murder of L/Cpl Ragni. Campbell has been remanded in custody pending committal of the case to Crown Court on December 5.

Local man Edward George Davies, aged 30, of no fixed abode, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Monday charged with aiding and abetting murder. He was remanded in custody.

In a statement, L/Cpl Ragni's family commented: "We are heartbroken to lose Kinnon in such a cruel and pointless way at such a young age. He was kind-hearted, easygoing and never looked for trouble.

"We want to thank all his friends and colleagues for the flowers and messages laid at the scene. Their messages to Kinnon gave us great comfort.

"We also wish to thank the members of the public and army personnel who bravely assisted Kinnon. We also wish to thank the police and the army liaison officers for their support."

L/Cpl Ragni was a serving soldier of the 14th Signal Regiment currently based at Brawdy.

His commanding officer, Lt Col Steve Vickery, said L/Cpl Ragni had "served his country with distinction" adding that he had recently volunteered for another operational tour.

County councillor Thomas Tudor said: "As a parent, resident and the local county councillor for this area, I am appalled and horrified at what has happened.

"The residents of Haverfordwest will of course be equally shocked and saddened at this news, but the people of Haverfordwest will pull through this, we are a tight knit community and will overcome this tragic news.

"My feelings are obviously with the family concerned and I send my deepest sympathy to them. Whilst this is tragic, this is most certainly an isolated incident and I have contacted the police to further understand what happened and provide them with any support I can as local county councillor.

"I have been assured by the police that a continued police presence will be continued as part of the on going police strategy."

Police are still appealing for any witnesses to the incident and, in particular, are asking that anyone who was walking in the vicinity of Friars Lane between 2am and 2.30am last Thursday contact the Haverfordwest incident room on 0845 330 2000.