‘No institutionalised bullying at Deepcut’

Former commanding officer at barracks rejects claims at hearing over recruit’s death

Bullying was not institutionalised at Deepcut barracks, a senior officer has told an inquest into the death of a recruit who was found with gunshot injuries.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Gascoigne, a major at the time, was the officer commanding B Squadron at the Surrey base when Private Sean Benton died in June 1995.

A fresh inquest into the death of the 20-year-old at Woking Coroner’s Court has heard claims of bullying at the barracks, with allegations made against two of his instructors – Sergeant Andrew Gavaghan and Corporal Martin Holder.

Lt Col Gascoigne told the inquest yesterday his non-commissioned officers and officers “were very well aware” what would happen if he found out they had overstepped the mark when it came to the mistreatment of recruits.

“Even now I do not believe there was institutionalised bullying at Deepcut,” Lt Col Gascoigne said.

“If it was endemic, I would have certainly found out about it because it would have been obvious in some way.”

He told the court he accepts that there are “reports now from an awful lot of people” regarding incidents that happened at the barracks, where “people had overstepped the line”.

Pte Benton was found with five bullets in his chest in June 1995, shortly after he had been told he was to be discharged from the army.

He was the first of four young soldiers to die of gunshot wounds at the Surrey barracks between 1995 and 2002.

His family have campaigned for years for a full investigation into his death amid allegations he suffered prolonged physical and psychological bullying.

The first hearing came back with a verdict of suicide in 1995, even though no evidence was given about his experiences at Deepcut.

When quizzed by Paul Greaney QC, representing the Benton family, on whether the behaviour of Sgt Gavaghan was a “big problem”, Lt Col Gascoigne said he “would’ve know something about it” if this was the case.

“At no time did I see Sgt Gavaghan mistreat trainees,” he told the inquest, denying he was “blind to what was happening”.

Pte Benton was discharged following an incident at a pub.

“He knew it was coming and resigned himself to the fact that it was coming,” the officer said of the meeting in which he was formally told.

Sgt Gavaghan, who was on guard that night, was tasked with looking after him, and Lt Col Gascoigne added: “Whilst I did not think for one minute he would commit suicide, I was aware he might get himself in trouble.”

The hearing continues.

Ifitwas endemic, I would have certainly found out about it because it would have been obvious in some way. LT COL ROBERT GASCOIGNE

Picture: PA. From left: relations Yvonne Heath, Jim Collinson, Diane Gray, Geoff Gray, Deveen Clarke and Glasme Davis hold picture boards of soldiers who died while serving at Deepcut barracks in Surrey. They are, from left: Sean Benton, Geoff Gray, Cheryl James,...