Trooper’s alleged bullying ‘just banter’
A HOUSEHOLD Cavalry Trooper yesterday dismissed claims of bullying against a Northern Irish colleague as ‘boisterous banter’.
Troopers Maxwell Nicholls and Declan Coutts allegedly subjected their Northern Irish roommate, Trooper Scott Alexander, to a ‘prolonged bullying’ campaign, calling him ‘Gerry Adams’ and making slurs about the IRA.
Bulford Military Court previously heard Trooper Alexander felt ‘demoralised’ by the ‘derogatory’ terms used by the pair.
Nicholls, from Essex, and Coutts, from Aberdeenshire, also allegedly argued with Trooper Azaan Aziz-Sheikh before Coutts ‘shoved him’.
Yesterday, both Nicholls and Coutts told the court their behaviour amounted to little more than ‘pranks’. All four young soldiers were recruits with the historic Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in Windsor, Berkshire.
Nicholls was yesterday cleared of charges relating to racism towards Trooper AzizSheikh, who claimed the incident was linked to his Islamic faith. Instead, he faces a charge of battery. Nicholls and Coutts also face a conduct charge relating to their treatment of Trooper Alexander. One component of this, racial abuse, was dropped. However, others – including soaking his bed – remain. They also still face charges of racially aggravated battery.
Yesterday, the hearing was told Nicholls had 13 drinks on October 30 last year before he and Coutts allegedly attacked their colleague.
Trooper Aziz-Sheikh told the court: ‘Words were being passed and then he came up to my table and shoved my head.’
Trooper Aziz-Sheikh also alleged he had been assaulted when they returned to Combermere Barracks. Coutts admitted punching Trooper Aziz-Sheikh in the barracks but said the soldier was ‘very aggressive’ and had shoved him in the back.
Coutts denied choking Trooper Alexander. He said he and Nicholls would regularly ‘play wrestle’ in their room and once Trooper Alexander joined of his own accord.
Giving evidence, Nicholls said: ‘It was just pranks played back and forth... It was rough and tumble, it was not malicious.’ The pair deny the charges. The trial continues.