BRITAIN

Intro: 24 years after historic allegations of abuse at Deepcut military barracks, a criminal probe is launched by Surrey Police

POLICE have launched a criminal investigation into assault allegations surrounding the suicide of a young soldier at the notorious Deepcut barracks almost 24 years ago.

Private Sean Benton, 20, was the first of four British soldiers to die in shootings at the Princess Royal Barracks in Surrey between 1995 and 2002 amid claims of bullying from more senior soldiers and other recruits.

A fresh inquest into Private Benton’s 1995 death ruled last year that he killed himself after being subjected to physical and psychological abuse.

He was found with five bullet wounds to the chest days after being “punched and kicked” by an instructor, leading to calls for a criminal prosecution.

Now, having reviewed evidence from the inquest in Woking, police have opened a new probe into allegations of assault and misconduct in public office.

The investigation was launched in October and has emerged as a fresh inquest into the death of another private, Geoff Gray, was opened earlier this week. It will cover a period from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s.

A spokesperson said: “Surrey Police reviewed the findings [of] the coroner and the Benton family’s request for a new criminal investigation into allegations including assault and misconduct in public office.

“A criminal investigation is under way into a number of allegations.” Three other recruits – Private Cheryl James, 18, Private Gray, 17, and Private James Collinson, 17 – also died at the base between 1995 and 2002 amid claims of bullying and abuse.

Private Collinson, from Perth, was the fourth person to die at the barracks. He was found dead with a single gunshot wound through his chin on March 23, 2002. An inquest into his death in 2006 returned an open verdict.

The coroner at Private Benton’s inquest, Peter Rook QC, delivered a damning five-hour narrative verdict of suicide last June, describing the harsh treatment the soldier was subjected to at the barracks.

He said: “There was a toxic culture at Deepcut at which Sean was frequently the recipient of actions.” He added that Private Benton was often on the receiving end of punishments by senior officers.

The court heard that the recruit was ordered to carry out degrading exercises by one non-commissioned officer, Sergeant Andrew Gavaghan, who has repeatedly denied allegations of abusive behaviour.

This included Private Benton having to perform press-ups on top of a female lance corporal in front of other recruits.

The court heard how a week before the death in June 1995, Sergeant Gavaghan kicked the soldier as he did press-ups.

Mr Rook added: “At times he [Sergeant Gavaghan] did lose control of himself.”

The coroner noted that Private Benton was told he was due to be discharged from the Army after a series of disciplinary problems and his feelings of shame had contributed to his state of mind.

His original inquest was held a month after his death and recorded a verdict of suicide.

But Private Benton’s family wanted the fresh inquest after allegations of bullying and a cover-up emerged at Deepcut.

The coroner also described a litany of failures with the original “woefully inadequate” police inquiry. Shortly after the inquest began, the Army apologised and said there were “a number of things that could and should have been better”.

The second inquest into the death of Private Gray has been launched after a campaign by his parents.