Sandra Cogswell was convicted by a military judge on eight counts of administering a noxious substance as well as one of behaving in a disgraceful manner.

Commander Sandra Sukstorf, the judge at the court-martial, said the soldier’s behaviour was “shockingly unacceptable” and could have resulted in fatalities.

As a consequence of eating the cupcakes, one soldier incorrectly set fuses on explosives and another, a gunner, walked in front of a howitzer.

Others could not stop laughing.

Cogswell faces up to five years’ imprisonment.