Army base instructors accused of teen abuse

RECRUITS WERE‘SPAT AT’ AND ‘PUSHEDUNDERWATER’

Reporter SIX Army instructors have denied a string of charges related to the alleged abuse of teenage recruits.

The non-commissioned officers face a total of 24 charges, 13 of ill-treatment, 10 of battery and one of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, relating to events said to have taken place over a sevenday period in June 2014.

It is alleged the defendants, who are all sergeants or corporals, ill-treated 14 recruits while instructors at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

The particulars of the ill-treatment charges allege the victims were either physically restrained and had water poured in their face, had their heads pushed underwater or were punched or spat at. The defendants are: :: Sergeant David Harley, of the Scots Dragoon Guards, who is accused of one charge of ill-treatment and three charges of battery.

:: Sergeant Anthony Owen, of The Parachute Regiment, who is accused of six charges of ill-treatment and one charge of battery.

:: Sergeant Jonathan Carter, of 1st Battalion, Royal Horse Artillery, who is accused of two charges of ill-treatment, one charge of battery and one charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

:: Corporal Hassan Ghaith, of The Parachute Regiment, who is accused of three charges of ill-treatment and two charges of battery.

:: Colour Sergeant Scott Dyson, of the Infantry Battle School, who is accused of three charges of battery.

:: Former Lance Corporal of Horse Stephen Warren, of the Household Cavalry Regiment, who is accused of one charge of ill-treatment.

The defendants spoke only to confirm their names and enter their not guilty pleas during a preliminary hearing at the court martial centre in Bulford, Wiltshire.

The court heard the court martial will take place next year on a date to be fixed.

Assistant Judge Advocate General Alan Large released the defendants on unconditional bail.