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Pte Sean Benton: Deepcut soldier's death was suicide, coroner rules Pte Sean Benton: Deepcut soldier's death was suicide, coroner rules
(35 minutes later)
The death of a young soldier at Deepcut barracks 23 years ago was suicide, a coroner has ruled after a new inquest.The death of a young soldier at Deepcut barracks 23 years ago was suicide, a coroner has ruled after a new inquest.
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 between 1995 and 2002, with his death originally recorded as suicide.He was the first of four young recruits to die between 1995 and 2002, with his death originally recorded as suicide.
Delivering his conclusions at Woking Coroner's Court, Judge Peter Rook QC said three suicide notes were found after his death.Delivering his conclusions at Woking Coroner's Court, Judge Peter Rook QC said three suicide notes were found after his death.
"I'm satisfied that the fatal wounds were self inflicted," he said."I'm satisfied that the fatal wounds were self inflicted," he said.
He said the first round injured the soldier, but that a second round - fired by Pte Benton when two officers arrived at the scene - proved fatal.He said the first round injured the soldier, but that a second round - fired by Pte Benton when two officers arrived at the scene - proved fatal.
Notes to his friends and family were found afterwards, which Mr Rook said revealed his "settled intent to die".Notes to his friends and family were found afterwards, which Mr Rook said revealed his "settled intent to die".
In a note to his parents, Pte Benton said: "I'm sorry, I'll always love you all", while in a note to a friend he said: "Learn by my mistakes."In a note to his parents, Pte Benton said: "I'm sorry, I'll always love you all", while in a note to a friend he said: "Learn by my mistakes."
The coroner described a litany of failures with the original investigation into Pte Benton's death, and said he was hampered by a failure to preserve evidence, poor photographs of the scene, and a lack of scrutiny of eyewitness accounts.The coroner described a litany of failures with the original investigation into Pte Benton's death, and said he was hampered by a failure to preserve evidence, poor photographs of the scene, and a lack of scrutiny of eyewitness accounts.
"Even by the standards of 1995, the investigation into Sean's death was woefully inadequate.""Even by the standards of 1995, the investigation into Sean's death was woefully inadequate."
Summing up, Mr Rook said: "There was ample evidence available to those at Deepcut that Sean was vulnerable." Summing up, Mr Rook said: "There was ample evidence available to those at Deepcut that Sean was vulnerable," but "suicidal feelings were not apparent to anyone who saw him that evening".
"It is likely Sean had an emerging emotional personality disorder," he said.
The coroner also highlighted a particular failure from senior Deepcut officers which allowed Pte Benton access to the weaponry that ended his life.
The new inquest has heard evidence from more than 170 witnesses since it began in January.The new inquest has heard evidence from more than 170 witnesses since it began in January.
It was ordered following a campaign by Pte Benton's family, amid allegations of prolonged bullying at the base.It was ordered following a campaign by Pte Benton's family, amid allegations of prolonged bullying at the base.
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".
The inquest had heard Pte Benton died shortly after being told he was going to be discharged.The inquest had heard Pte Benton died shortly after being told he was going to be discharged.
Former recruits told the hearing 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.Former recruits told the hearing 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.
Deepcut was described as an "oppressive place" with claims that "beasting" was taking place, along with humiliating punishments and physical and mental abuse.Deepcut was described as an "oppressive place" with claims that "beasting" was taking place, along with humiliating punishments and physical and mental abuse.
Mr Rook said the ratio between instructor and trainee at Deepcut was "a constant concern", and there were "not enough staff to keep the trainees properly occupied".Mr Rook said the ratio between instructor and trainee at Deepcut was "a constant concern", and there were "not enough staff to keep the trainees properly occupied".
Exploring Pte Benton's early life, the coroner repeated evidence of how as a teenager in 1991 he twice took drugs overdoses after rowing over the tidiness of his bedroom. He went on to tell the hearing of how during his time at the barracks witnesses observed a shift in Pte Benton's demeanour, with the common theme being "he was not as bubbly as he used to be".
The court heard he was not deemed to have any deep-rooted psychiatric issues.
'Boring and repetitive'
Mr Rook went on to tell the hearing of how during his time at the barracks witnesses observed a shift in Pte Benton's demeanour, with the common theme being "he was not as bubbly as he used to be".
During a three-month warning period, he took an Anadin overdose, and it was "notable" a psychiatric assessment did not trigger a full review, he said.During a three-month warning period, he took an Anadin overdose, and it was "notable" a psychiatric assessment did not trigger a full review, he said.
Pte Benton's mother also remarked to police that he phoned home less often and had described Deepcut as "boring and repetitive". He told the court there was "no doubt" Pte Benton was "on the receiving end" of punishments by senior officers and was attacked at least once by his fellow trainees.
However, he denied being bullied when asked by her in the month before he died, Mr Rook said. It was "possible" but not probable these events contributed to Pte Benton's decision to kill himself, Mr Rook said.
He said there was "no doubt" Pte Benton was "on the receiving end" of punishments by senior officers, describing "a toxic culture".
The conduct of Sgt Andrew Gavaghan - one of Pte Benton's instructors - was key in the investigation into his death, Mr Rook said.The conduct of Sgt Andrew Gavaghan - one of Pte Benton's instructors - was key in the investigation into his death, Mr Rook said.
He had an alter ego and was prone to changes in temper, and the inquest had previously heard accounts of physical and verbal abuse by him. He had an alter ego, was prone to changes in temper, and at times "lost control of himself" and on occasions "went too far".
He said at times Sgt Gavaghan "did lose control of himself", but not all witnesses spoke ill of him. He told the hearing that a "closer check" should have been made on Sgt Gavaghan's treatment of trainees, and that a lack of this contributed "to his abuse of authority".
"But a closer check should have been made on Sgt Gavaghan's [treatment] of the trainees. In conclusion, he said with the exception of Sgt Gavaghan he had "not found any other NCO went beyond boundaries".
"It's clear this lack of appropriate monitoring contributed to his abuse of authority," Mr Rook said. Sgt Gavaghan denied allegations of abusive behaviour.
However, he stressed: "This is an inquest, not a trial of Sgt Gavaghan."
Sgt Gavaghan has denied allegations of abusive behaviour.