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'Beasting' death soldiers cleared 'Beasting' death soldiers cleared
(20 minutes later)
Three soldiers have been cleared of the manslaughter of a junior colleague at a barracks in Wiltshire.Three soldiers have been cleared of the manslaughter of a junior colleague at a barracks in Wiltshire.
Pte Gavin Williams, 22, of Hengoed, Caerphilly, collapsed and died at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth in 2006.Pte Gavin Williams, 22, of Hengoed, Caerphilly, collapsed and died at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth in 2006.
Sgt Russell Price, 45, Sgt Paul Blake, 37, and Cpl John Edwards, 42, were found not guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court.Sgt Russell Price, 45, Sgt Paul Blake, 37, and Cpl John Edwards, 42, were found not guilty by a jury at Winchester Crown Court.
The court had heard that Pte Williams died after being made to do an informal punishment known as beasting.The court had heard that Pte Williams died after being made to do an informal punishment known as beasting.
During the trial the prosecution alleged Pte Williams was put through an intense session of physical exercise, or beasting, to punish him for his drunken high jinks.During the trial the prosecution alleged Pte Williams was put through an intense session of physical exercise, or beasting, to punish him for his drunken high jinks.
Army criticised
The soldier, of the Second Battalion the Royal Welsh Regiment, collapsed and died on one of the hottest days in 2006.The soldier, of the Second Battalion the Royal Welsh Regiment, collapsed and died on one of the hottest days in 2006.
He was admitted to hospital where tests showed his body temperature was 41.7C, higher than the norm of 37C.He was admitted to hospital where tests showed his body temperature was 41.7C, higher than the norm of 37C.
Tests subsequently showed he had ecstasy in his body when he died.Tests subsequently showed he had ecstasy in his body when he died.
Following the acquittal, trial judge Mr Justice Royce attacked the Army for allowing beasting to take place.
He also criticised the fact that the three non-commissioned officers were placed in the dock while their commander, the adjutant Captain Mark Davis, who ordered that Pte Williams be brought to him "hot and sweaty", was in the process of being promoted.
In his summing up, the judge had asked the jury to consider whether the defendants had been "hung out to dry" while Capt Mark Davis was not prosecuted.
Mr Justice Royce said: "The evidence has demonstrated that the practice of beasting - which clearly falls outside appropriate military discipline - was going on in these barracks openly and must have been known to senior officers."