New evidence ‘shows Deepcut girl did not take her own life’

NEW scientific evidence suggests Private Cheryl James did not take her own life, an inquest heard yesterday.

The 18-year-old was discovered with a fatal bullet wound at Deepcut barracks in Surrey in November 1995 – one of four recruits to die there over seven years.

Yesterday, a fresh inquest into her death was told there was now ‘distinguished pathological evidence’ indicating that she did not kill herself.

The court also heard Pte James had allegedly been raped by three boys at the age of 14, and had taken an overdose after the death of her cousin.

Alison Foster QC, for the soldier’s family, said: ‘Now there is distinguished pathological evidence that the shot that killed Cheryl James may not have been self-inflicted. Third party involvement is more than merely speculative, according to this inquest’s pathologist.’

However, Surrey Police described the claim as ‘speculation in the extreme’.

Pte James’s father Des fought back tears as the court heard details of his nephew’s suicide in 1992, which he said was the ‘final straw’ for his adopted daughter. He told the inquest he and his wife Doreen were not immediately aware of the alleged rape, which happened after she went to a party. ‘All my wife knew was she wanted to get the morning after pill,’ Mr James said.

John Beggs QC, for Surrey Police, told the hearing Pte James had been ‘desperate’ to leave the Army and had told one individual: ‘The only way to get out ... is to put a gun to your head.’

The inquest continues.