Deepcut accused has second thoughts

A sergeant accused of bullying recruits at Deepcut barracks, including the late Private Sean Benton, has denied overstepping the mark but said he would now do things differently if he was in the same situation.

Some former Deepcut recruits have told a fresh inquest into the death of Private Benton that Sergeant Andrew Gavaghan was a frightening “psychopath” who physically abused them.

Mr Gavaghan has told Woking Coroner’s Court that when he aggressively gave orders it was his “twin brother” was doing the shouting.

He said it was “very much” a performance in which he deployed a tougher version of himself because he needed to have discipline among the numerous recruits.

The court heard that criticism from a commanding officer of his natural style of leadership was that he was “lacking bite” with young soldiers for whom he also had a welfare role.

Of his thoughts on whether this “twin” brother was a good idea, Mr Gavaghan told the court: “At the beginning of the year I would have said yes but having come here and heard people say how distressed they have been I would say no.”