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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 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A coroner holding a fresh inquest into the death of a young soldier at Deepcut barracks more than 20 years ago is delivering his conclusions. | A coroner holding a fresh inquest into the death of a young soldier at Deepcut barracks more than 20 years ago is delivering his conclusions. |
| 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 attending the hearing at Woking Coroner's Court with Pte Benton's twin brother Tony, has said throughout the inquest that she wants to hear the truth. | His sister Tracy Lewis, who is attending the hearing at Woking Coroner's Court with Pte Benton's twin brother Tony, has said throughout the inquest that she wants to hear the truth. |
| They have both fought for years for a full investigation into the case. | They have both 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 father died four years earlier. | |
| Live: More updates on Deepcut inquest | Live: More updates on Deepcut inquest |
| In January, Coroner Judge 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, Coroner Judge 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. | He is expected to spend up to five hours delivering his conclusions. |
| Referring to the siblings' campaign as he opened the hearing, Mr Rook said: "Their parents have good reason to be proud of all their children." | Referring to the siblings' campaign as he opened the hearing, Mr Rook said: "Their parents have good reason to be proud of all their children." |
| Speaking about the "evidential difficulties" of investigating a death 23 years ago, he said "such a long passage of time inevitably poses difficulties", and that "many forensic opportunities" had been lost. | Speaking about the "evidential difficulties" of investigating a death 23 years ago, he said "such a long passage of time inevitably poses difficulties", and that "many forensic opportunities" had been lost. |
| "Memories fade with time," he added. | "Memories fade with time," he added. |
| 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. |
| Speaking on Wednesday, the coroner said the inquest was "not an inquiry into the Army at the time" of Pte Benton's death, which he said came during a "period of change for the military following the fall of the Berlin Wall". | |
| He said Deepcut was used to hold "soldiers awaiting training" following the restructuring of the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), and provided induction, administration and some military skills. | |
| However, the ratio between instructor and trainee was "a constant concern", and there were "not enough staff to keep the trainees properly occupied". | |
| He told the court that numerous former trainees had given evidence that their time at Deepcut was "awful", and it was "clear that morale was very low". | |
| 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". |