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Pte Sean Benton: Deepcut hearing 'not an inquiry into Army' Pte Sean Benton Deepcut hearing 'not an inquiry into Army'
(about 2 hours later)
A coroner holding a fresh inquest into the death of a young soldier at Deepcut barracks 23 years ago has said it is "not an inquiry into the Army".A coroner holding a fresh inquest into the death of a young soldier at Deepcut barracks 23 years ago has said it is "not an inquiry into the Army".
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, Coroner Judge Peter Rook QC said morale among trainees at Deepcut was "very low".Delivering his conclusions, Coroner Judge Peter Rook QC said morale among trainees at Deepcut was "very low".
The inquest has heard evidence from more than 170 witnesses since it began in January at Woking Coroner's Court.The inquest has heard evidence from more than 170 witnesses since it began in January at Woking Coroner's Court.
It was ordered after a family campaign, amid allegations of prolonged bullying at the base. It was ordered following a family campaign, amid allegations of prolonged bullying at the base.
Mr Rook is expected to spend up to five hours delivering his conclusions.Mr Rook is expected to spend up to five hours delivering his conclusions.
Pte Benton's sister Tracy Lewis, who is attending Wednesday's hearing with the soldier's twin brother Tony, has said throughout the inquest that she wants to hear the truth.Pte Benton's sister Tracy Lewis, who is attending Wednesday's hearing with the soldier'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 and their family have 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. 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."
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".
Live: More updates on Deepcut inquestLive: More updates on Deepcut inquest
In January, Mr Rook 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, Mr Rook 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.
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.
"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".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.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".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".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. 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.
A note found after his death had said: "I just want a career in the army." The court heard he was not deemed to have any deep-rooted psychiatric issues.
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". '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.
Pte Benton's mother also remarked to police that he phoned home less often and had described Deepcut as "boring and repetitive".
However, he denied being bullied when asked by her in the month before he died, 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.
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 said at times Sgt Gavaghan "did lose control of himself", but not all witnesses spoke ill of him.
"But a closer check should have been made on Sgt Gavaghan's [treatment] of the trainees.
"It's clear this lack of appropriate monitoring contributed to his abuse of authority," Mr Rook said.
However, he stressed: "This is an inquest, not a trial of Sgt Gavaghan."
Sgt Gavaghan has denied allegations of abusive behaviour.