Deepcut inquest to probe if death down to bullying

Soldier was first of four to die of gunshot wounds at the barracks

A fresh inquest into the death of a vulnerable young soldier at Deepcut barracks will examine whether he was hounded to death by “bullying and harassment”, a court heard.

But the family of Private Sean Benton, 20, raised concern that questioning of a retired sergeant over his conduct may be curbed and called on a jury to decide the case.

Mr Benton, from Hastings, East Sussex, 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, including Private James Collinson from Perth.

A Royal Military Police investigation led to an initial inquest finding of suicide even though no evidence was given about his experiences at Deepcut.

At a fresh pre-inquest hearing at the Old Bailey, a 10-point list was presented widening the scope to look at all the circumstances of his death.

It includes the details of how he died and whether there was “any third party action” involved in the death.

Mr Benton’s “state of mind” will be probed, as well as how he was assessed and disciplined during his army career and what impact that may have had on him. The management of his discharge and its effect was within scope and whether he was “subjected to bullying and harassment at Deepcut”.

The inquest will look at any “systemic shortcomings” in relation to supervising trainees and managing their mental health.

Potential failings in the areas of guard duty and provision of weapons would also be examined, the court heard.

Retired Sergeant Andrew Gavaghan will be among 120 witnesses called to give evidence either in person or in a written statement.

But Paul Greaney QC, for the family, suggested the Ministry of Defence would attempt to limit his evidence to his dealings with Mr Benton.

He said: “There will be an attempt made on behalf of Sgt Gavaghan and MoD to restrict questions of his conduct only in respect of Sean himself.

“On behalf of the family, our submission is we must examine allegations of abuse or bullying of any recruit, not just Sean.”

Privates Sean Benton, left, and James Collinson both died at the barracks.