A YORK soldier who lost his appeal against a nine-month jail sentence for going AWOL in protest against the war in Afghanistan is to quit the Army.

Private Joe Glenton lost his bid to overturn his punishment for absconding from his role with the Royal Logistics Corps in 2007, rather than return to serve a second tour of duty in the country.

The New Earswick 27-year-old’s appeal was thrown out at the Court of Appeal on Wednesday, and his wife Clare said he was “disappointed, but not surprised” at the decision.

She said: “He’s just now looking forward to being released over the summer and getting on with his life.

“He’s certainly not going to be going back to the Army. He’s been accepted into Leeds Metropolitan University to study global development and peace studies, so he’s got a very bright future to look forward to as of September [when he is released from military custody].

“He’s extremely excited to get stuck into that and get on with his life.”

Pte Glenton, who handed in a letter to Prime Minister Gordon Brown protesting against the Afghan conflict and also addressed an anti-war demonstration in London, was demoted from lance-corporal after admitting going AWOL.