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Three potential Deepcut suspects were not investigated, inquest told Three potential Deepcut suspects were not investigated, inquest told
(35 minutes later)
Surrey police failed to investigate and eliminate three potential suspects in their original investigation into the death of army recruit Cheryl James at Deepcut barracks, an inquest has heard.Surrey police failed to investigate and eliminate three potential suspects in their original investigation into the death of army recruit Cheryl James at Deepcut barracks, an inquest has heard.
A “paper review” by Surrey police seven years after the death of James, 18, who was found with a single fatal gunshot wound to the head in 1995, identified the men – two privates and another unnamed male – as potential suspects.A “paper review” by Surrey police seven years after the death of James, 18, who was found with a single fatal gunshot wound to the head in 1995, identified the men – two privates and another unnamed male – as potential suspects.
The review recommended that the two privates be interviewed to “confirm or disprove” their alibis or involvement in James’s death, Alison Foster QC, for the James family, told the coroner Brian Barker QC. Another male seen in the area had not been identified. The review recommended the two privates be interviewed to “confirm or disprove” their alibis or involvement in James’s death, Alison Foster QC, for the James family, told the coroner Brian Barker QC. Another male seen in the area had not been identified.
It stated there was “substantial evidence” to suggest that “the mindset of a majority of key figures” involved in the investigation was that James had killed herself.It stated there was “substantial evidence” to suggest that “the mindset of a majority of key figures” involved in the investigation was that James had killed herself.
It concluded: “No consideration appears to have been given that the scene as found might have been contrived.”It concluded: “No consideration appears to have been given that the scene as found might have been contrived.”
James, from Llangollen, north Wales, who was on lone guard duty, was found in a copse near the barracks gate with a bullet wound to the head. There was no exit wound, and an apparent lack of blood on the ground. She was lying in the foetal position, with a tree branch across her face and with the hood of her waterproof jacket covering her face.James, from Llangollen, north Wales, who was on lone guard duty, was found in a copse near the barracks gate with a bullet wound to the head. There was no exit wound, and an apparent lack of blood on the ground. She was lying in the foetal position, with a tree branch across her face and with the hood of her waterproof jacket covering her face.
The 2002 review stated that “any one of these indicators would not cause suspicions” on their own, but it added: “Collectively they ask questions about the manner of Private James’s death.”The 2002 review stated that “any one of these indicators would not cause suspicions” on their own, but it added: “Collectively they ask questions about the manner of Private James’s death.”
James was one of four young army recruits to die at the Surrey barracks between 1995 and 2002. The inquest has heard that her parents, Desmond and Doreen, believed the Surrey police investigation was rushed and “cursory”.James was one of four young army recruits to die at the Surrey barracks between 1995 and 2002. The inquest has heard that her parents, Desmond and Doreen, believed the Surrey police investigation was rushed and “cursory”.
The paper review triggered a reinvestigation of the deaths, said Foster. One month into that reinvestigation, “all four cases [had] reached the stage where the basic circumstances of how the deaths occurred [had] been established,” the inquest heard.The paper review triggered a reinvestigation of the deaths, said Foster. One month into that reinvestigation, “all four cases [had] reached the stage where the basic circumstances of how the deaths occurred [had] been established,” the inquest heard.
At this stage, documents showed, Surrey police still had not taken a statement from either of the privates, said Foster.At this stage, documents showed, Surrey police still had not taken a statement from either of the privates, said Foster.
In 2005 a review by Devon and Cornwall police of the Surrey investigation, called Operation Stanza, recommended that one of the privates be interviewed as a suspect. It said there had been an “insufficient investigation” to identify the unknown male seen around the time of James’s death and “who could potentially have been a suspect”.In 2005 a review by Devon and Cornwall police of the Surrey investigation, called Operation Stanza, recommended that one of the privates be interviewed as a suspect. It said there had been an “insufficient investigation” to identify the unknown male seen around the time of James’s death and “who could potentially have been a suspect”.
James’s father told the inquest that he stood by his criticism of the Surrey police investigation. It was only after some time that the police discovered that shortly before her death his daughter had argued with another squaddie, he said . He could never understand how she could be described as “laughing and joking, and then she just trotted off into the woods and did what she is supposed to have done,” he said.James’s father told the inquest that he stood by his criticism of the Surrey police investigation. It was only after some time that the police discovered that shortly before her death his daughter had argued with another squaddie, he said . He could never understand how she could be described as “laughing and joking, and then she just trotted off into the woods and did what she is supposed to have done,” he said.
He broke down in the witness box as he was asked to look at her application form spelling out her reasons for joining the army. Wiping tears from his eyes he said: “It’s just a little bit upsetting to see her handwriting.”He broke down in the witness box as he was asked to look at her application form spelling out her reasons for joining the army. Wiping tears from his eyes he said: “It’s just a little bit upsetting to see her handwriting.”
A childhood friend of James’s, Lydia Baksh, told the inquest she had been “desperate” to leave the army. “She was being reprimanded all the time and being put on guard duty a lot which she just couldn’t bear,” she said.A childhood friend of James’s, Lydia Baksh, told the inquest she had been “desperate” to leave the army. “She was being reprimanded all the time and being put on guard duty a lot which she just couldn’t bear,” she said.
The inquest, which is due to last seven weeks, was ordered after the high court quashed the open verdict recorded at James’s original inquest, which was held three weeks after her death.The inquest, which is due to last seven weeks, was ordered after the high court quashed the open verdict recorded at James’s original inquest, which was held three weeks after her death.
The hearing continues.The hearing continues.