‘The forensic evidence available to me was woeful’
not gathered. There were as many as nine fundamental failures. The forensic evidence available to me was woeful. These were Surrey Police’s shortcomings.”
Pte Benton’s family campaigned for a full investigation amid evidence that he suffered prolonged physical and psychological bullying.
One witness claimed he was shackled and pushed out of a window at the barracks near Pirbright.
Both his parents, Harry and Linda, died before they achieved their aim of securing a second inquest into the tragedy.
The judge said there was “no doubt” Pte Benton was “on the receiving end” of punishments by senior officers.
But he added: “I am not satisfied there was any formal agreement or plan to target Sean for formal sanctions. There was a toxic culture at Deepcut at which Sean was frequently the recipient of actions.”
Before the coroner gave his ruling Tracy Lewis said: “This inquest has uncovered so much about what Sean’s life at Deepcut was like.
“It’s awful to think of what he might have been through, but I’m grateful to all those who gave evidence to help answer questions my family has been asking for 23 years.
“This process has revealed just how fundamental the flaws in the first investigation were, and how right my mum was to keep fighting for the truth.
“The Army, the first coroner and Surrey Police let my family down terribly.”
Emma Norton, the family’s solicitor, said, earlier: “Whatever conclusions the coroner reaches, the Army must reflect honestly and unflinchingly.
“Not only on what happened in 1995 – but on the serious failings that still exist in the Armed Forces’ internal justice system, two decades on.
Ms Norton, of the human rights charity Liberty, added: “When things go wrong, soldiers need an independent body to turn to right from the outset.
“And the Army must be more open to independent investigations by civilian police.
“The Army has nothing to fear from greater outside oversight. Without that we cannot be sure that other families won’t have to spend decades fighting for answers, as Sean’s have.”
Yesterday Brigadier Christopher Coles, who was in court, said: “On behalf of the Army I want to apologise.
“We are sorry this has taken so long. We took too long to recognise and rectify the situation.
“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute Sean’s family. We are very sorry for the family’s loss.”
Privates Cheryl James, James Collinson and Geoff Gray also died from gunshot wounds at Deepcut between 1995 and 2002.