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| Pte Sean Benton: Coroner to rule on Deepcut army base death | Pte Sean Benton: Coroner to rule on Deepcut army base death |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| A coroner holding a fresh inquest into the death of a young soldier at Deepcut barracks more than 20 years ago is to deliver his conclusions later. | |
| Pte Sean Benton, 20, from Hastings, was found with five gunshot wounds to his chest at the Surrey army base in 1995. | Pte Sean Benton, 20, from Hastings, was found with five gunshot wounds to his chest at the Surrey army base in 1995. |
| He was the first of four young recruits to die there between 1995 and 2002. | He was the first of four young recruits to die there between 1995 and 2002. |
| The soldier's death was originally recorded as suicide but a fresh inquest was ordered after a family campaign, amid allegations of prolonged bullying. | The soldier's death was originally recorded as suicide but a fresh inquest was ordered after a family campaign, amid allegations of prolonged bullying. |
| His sister Tracy Lewis, who is expected to attend the hearing at Woking Coroner's Court, has said throughout the inquest that she wants to hear the truth. | His sister Tracy Lewis, who is expected to attend the hearing at Woking Coroner's Court, has said throughout the inquest that she wants to hear the truth. |
| She and her brother Tony Benton - Pte Benton's twin - fought for years for a full investigation into the case. | She and her brother Tony Benton - Pte Benton's twin - fought for years for a full investigation into the case. |
| Their mother Linda, who also fought to see evidence about the circumstances of her son's death, died in 2015. | Their mother Linda, who also fought to see evidence about the circumstances of her son's death, died in 2015. |
| In January, Judge Coroner Peter Rook QC said the scope of the first inquest in 1995 had been "limited" and by engaging Article Two of the Human Rights Act, he had enabled a "broader" inquiry. | In January, Judge Coroner Peter Rook QC said the scope of the first inquest in 1995 had been "limited" and by engaging Article Two of the Human Rights Act, he had enabled a "broader" inquiry. |
| He is expected to spend up to five hours delivering his conclusions on Wednesday. | |
| The inquest has heard claims of bullying and harassment at the base - at one stage, Pte Benton confided in his sister he had been "shackled" and made to parade around the canteen. | The inquest has heard claims of bullying and harassment at the base - at one stage, Pte Benton confided in his sister he had been "shackled" and made to parade around the canteen. |
| Fellow recruits described Deepcut as an "oppressive place" with claims that "beasting" was taking place, along with humiliating punishments and physical and mental abuse. | Fellow recruits described Deepcut as an "oppressive place" with claims that "beasting" was taking place, along with humiliating punishments and physical and mental abuse. |
| The inquest heard Pte Benton had died shortly after being told he was going to be discharged. | The inquest heard Pte Benton had died shortly after being told he was going to be discharged. |
| A note found after his death had said: "I just want a career in the army." | A note found after his death had said: "I just want a career in the army." |
| Shortly after the inquest began, the Army apologised to Pte Benton's family and said there were "a number of things that could and should have been better". | Shortly after the inquest began, the Army apologised to Pte Benton's family and said there were "a number of things that could and should have been better". |