Army instructors are accused of abusing teenage recruits

ARMY INSTRUCTORS have denied a string of charges related to the alleged abuse of teenage recruits.

The non-commissioned officers face a total of 29 charges – 23 of ill-treatment and six of battery – relating to events said to have taken place over a nine-day period in June 2014.

It is alleged the defendants, who are all sergeants or corporals, ill-treated 12 recruits while instructors at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

The particulars of the ill-treatment charges allege the victims were slapped or punched to the face, spat at, were grabbed by the throat, had their faces submerged in mud or were ordered to eat animal manure.

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 begin on February 12 next year and is due to last around four weeks.

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

In a separate hearing Acting Sgts Duncan and Royle denied further charges related to allegations made at the Army Foundation College between July 2013 and October 2014.

Acting Sgt Duncan denied two charges of ill-treatment, two charges of battery and one charge of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline by allegedly taking personal items belonging to junior soldiers.

Acting Sgt Royle pleaded not guilty to two charges of ill-treatment and one charge of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline by allegedly taking personal items belonging to junior soldiers. Both defendants were released on unconditional bail until their trial.

The defendants are: Sgt Simon Girault, of 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers; Staff Sgt Steven Harrison, of 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery; Sgt Thomas Bryan, of 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment; Staff Sgt Brian Crawford, of 152 (North Irish) Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps; Cpl Andrew Armitage, of 156 Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps; Sgt Mark Graham, of the HQ Defence Food Services School, Royal Logistic Corps; Acting Sgt Steven Duncan, of 1st Battalion Scots Guards; Acting Sgt Daniel Royle, of 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment; Cpl Anthony Thomas, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment; Acting Sgt Robert Comley, of The Queen’s Dragoon Guards.