The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Marine fed new recruits chilli powder
A 45 Commando marine told a court martial he fed new recruits chilli and cinnamon powder in a bid to help them win a drinking game at RM Condor.
Ian Tennet, 32, of South Shields, allegedly ill-treated subordinate Carlo Nicholson, at the Arbroath base in November 2013.
Mr Nicholson claims he was forced to fight with other marines while naked and covered in cooking oil, eat dog food and spoonfuls of chilli, cinnamon or curry powder.
The court previously heard he was told to lie in a pool of urine and vomit, run around camp naked, and drink liquid through a funnel.
The tasks formed part of what the prosecution has described as “an unethical and inappropriate initiation ceremony”.
Tennet denied he was a “striker” who helped organise the “joining run”.
He said: “Ex-Marine Nicholson did not come to me with any concerns prior or during the event.
“I knew my lads, who were new joiners, would be expected to complete a joining run at some stage in their career.”
Tennet said around 40-50 people wereinthebasequadranglewitharound 26 new joiners in fancy dress.
The court heard he borrowed a balaclava to take part in a ‘cops and robbers’ game where the losers would “take on more drinking responsibilities”.
He admitted taping bottles of cider to the arms of those taking part and gave them spoonfuls of chilli and cinnamon powder.
He added: “I did not tape any bottle to Nicholson’s arms but I did help tape bottles. I taped two litre cider bottles to the arms of the lads.”
Tennet said he took part in his own “joining run” when he first entered 45 Commando.
He said: “It is not unusual for Royal Marines to get naked at a social.
“The purpose of a joining run is to bond and welcome lads in the company – afterwards you laugh and bond and joke over it, too.”
In character references Tennet was described as “an example to new marines”.
He denies subordinate.
A second man, ex-marine Ryan Logan, 25, denies four counts of battery and one charge of disgraceful conduct of a cruel kind.
The court Monday. ill treatment martial of a continues on