Police inquiry into Deepcut death ‘was inadequate’

THE family of a soldier who died at a notorious Army barracks 23 years ago have called for a criminal investigation to be launched after a second inquest ruled he committed suicide – as the coroner described a litany of police failures in the case.

Private Sean Benton, 20, was found with five bullet wounds to his chest at the Deepcut military base on June 9, 1995.

He was the first of four soldiers to die from gunshot wounds at the barracks between 1995 and 2002 amid claims of bullying, abuse and cover-up.

An initial inquest – held just a month after Pte Benton’s death – also recorded suicide, although no evidence was given about the ‘toxic’ culture at Deepcut.

His siblings have campaigned for years for a full investigation, amid allegations he suffered prolonged physical and psychological bullying.

Last year they were granted a second inquest, which heard from 174 witnesses over six months before concluding yesterday at Woking Coroner’s Court.

‘Terrible lack of care’

Recording a verdict of suicide, coroner Peter Rook QC said it was ‘possible’ that Pte Benton killed himself because of events which took place at the barracks.

Mr Rook criticised the ‘woefully inadequate’ police investigation into Pte Benton’s death and described a litany of failures, including failure to preserve evidence, poor photographs of the scene and a lack of scrutiny of witness accounts.

He also said: ‘There was a toxic culture at Deepcut at which Sean was frequently the recipient of actions.’

Pte Benton’s sister Tracey Lewis said last night: ‘We will be asking the police to open a criminal investigation following the judge’s findings today.’

She said he had been subjected to ‘bullying, violence and a terrible lack of care’.

Brigadier Christopher Coles, head of Army Personnel Services Group, said after the inquest that he recognised there had been ‘significant shortcomings’ at Deepcut at the time of Pte Benton’s death, adding: ‘We took too long to recognise and rectify that situation.

‘This level of abuse was unacceptable then and it is now. I assure you we will take on board all the findings made by the coroner today.’

The three other young privates to die at the Surrey base were Cheryl James, 18, Geoff Gray, 17, and James Collinson, 17.