The girlfriend of a conscientious objector currently locked up in solitary confinement at Warwick camp has hit out at authorities for ignoring his beliefs.

But Defence Department spokesman Larry Burchall said The Royal Gazette business journalist Magnus Henagulph did not make a strong enough case in appeals to the exemption tribunal and the Governor, despite turning up with a wealth of written evidence and speaking at length.

Mr. Henagulph, 26, did not attend Warwick camp on Sunday but went on Tuesday night after they contacted him at work - the first time he knew he had to attend, claim supporters.

He was thrown in solitary confinement, had his head shaved and was put into an orange suit when he returned the next day for disobeying orders according to Bermuda Regiment Adjutant William White.

But supporters claim Mr. Henagulph would rather go to prison than fall in with the Regiment.

Mr. Henagulph's girlfriend Anna Pereira said he should never have been there in the first place.

She said: "I don't think he was given a fair hearing.

"He is extremely strong about his beliefs. He doesn't even kill insects. He doesn't like the entire system the regiment represents and strongly advocates non-violence.

"He's big on the environment - he's a tree hugger."

She said one of the members of the tribunal hearing held a few weeks ago, Rev. Godwin Smith, had a poor record on human rights with his illiberal stance on the Harry Potter books.

Mr. Henagulph's mother Nadine said her son was leaning towards Buddhism but the tribunal had ignored this because they were keen to get him in the regiment.

"They said he was just the sort of they were looking for."

She said the whole system of conscription in a country that had never been in a war was wrong.

She said: "There should be regular army where people go because they want to."

Adjutant William White said conscientious objectors were allowed to serve their country in other ways for the same stint of three years and two months such as in the St. John Ambulance, St. George's fire brigade and the reserve Police.

But he said the bulk of the 20-plus exemptions were allowed for people already helping those services when the regiment call-up came.

And Tribunal Secretary Larry Burchall said: "You have to hear the case. One man might present a strong, deep religious conviction and within five minutes they have convinced you.

"Or someone comes in and rambles and at the end of 40 minutes the three people are thinking I know this guy doesn't want to serve but we can't see clear objections. An unwillingness is not sufficient."

Mr. Burchall said the tribunal was conducted in comfortable atmosphere so that even 18-year-olds making their own case did not feel intimidated.

The regiment can detain disobedient conscripts for a maximum of 28 days - after that the case must be referred to magistrate's court.

Magistrates can impose a maximum sentence of three months in prison and/or a $2,250 fine.

Last night Ms. Pereira said her boyfriend would not back down.

She said: "Magnus would go to prison rather than compromise his beliefs, no one will force him to change his entire ethical stance. It's just not going to happen."

"I support him and love him for how he is."

"We are looking to take legal action. Magnus is prepared to go all the way to Supreme Court if we have to."