Ben Roberts-Smith breaks down on first day in witness box in defamation case

The former soldier rejected allegations of murder and became visibly distraught when asked about the mission that won him a Victoria Cross

Ben Roberts-Smith has broken down in the witness box recounting the danger of his Victoria Cross-winning mission in Afghanistan, in a dramatic first day of evidence, during which he consistently rejected allegations of murder made against him.

During nearly five hours of testimony on Thursday, Roberts-Smith was at times combative, at times animated, and - as he discussed a 2010 assault in Tizak - moved to tears, as he was asked to recount the perilous mission that would ultimately win him the Victoria Cross.