Family’s fury after 20-year fight for justice
AFTER the hearing Private Benton’s family attacked the Army for the “bullying” and “violence” he suffered while trying to serve his country.
His sister Tracy Lewis said: “Our brother Sean was funny, generous and kindhearted. He loved his family and he loved the British Army too.
“Sean’s grandad had been in the Army and, in his application to sign up, Sean said he wanted to travel the world and support peacekeeping overseas. Instead what he got was bullying, violence and a terrible lack of care.”
She added: “After deciding that Sean wasn’t right for the Army, he was humiliated and bullied.
“My personal view, having sat through all the evidence is that those bully’s colleagues and the chain of command probably did know and turned a blind eye. When the Army finally decided to throw him out they knew how vulnerable he was but did little to make sure he was OK, even when he asked for help. Those who should have cared for him ignored him, so he was able to get a gun and shoot himself.”
She added: “We miss Sean every day. My parents both passed away before we were able to get a fresh inquest for him.
“The questions we asked at this inquest were the ones my parents asked 20 years ago but because Surrey Police failed to do what they should have done and take control of the scene and investigate properly at the time, years of pain have been caused to my family.”