Soldier called ‘Gerry Adams’ in racist abuse, court told

HOUSEHOLD Cavalry soldiers racially abused a Northern Irish colleague by calling him “Gerry Adams”, a court martial has heard.

Troopers Maxwell Nicholls and Declan Coutts allegedly harassed fellow soldier Tpr Scott Alexander, with slurs about the IRA and car bombs.

They shared a room at the Combermere barracks in Windsor and repeatedly soaked his bed with water, stole his ironing board and boots and would put him in choke-holds and headlocks.

Tpr Alexander said he felt “demoralised” and pleaded with them to stop but said “it didn’t make a difference, they thought it was funny”.

Tpr Nicholls and Tpr Coutts are accused of a string of nine charges relating to the incidents between July and November in 2020.

Prosecutor Lieutenant Matthew

‘On multiple occasions they would pin him down, sit on his chest, strangle him and made abusive comments ’

Poulsom told Bulford Military Court in Wilts that Tpr Nicholls and Tpr Coutts launched a “persistent bullying campaign” against Tpr Alexander.

He said: “On multiple occasions they would pin him down, sit on his chest, strangle and choke him, and made racially abusive comments.

“They frequently made racial slurs against him being Northern Irish.”

Tpr Alexander said his relationship with roommates Tpr Nicholls and Tpr Coutts started off “friendly”’ but became “unpleasant” within a week.

Tpr Alexander said: “I had slurs used against me after they picked up on my accent. Lots of derogatory terms were used. Terms about car bombs, I was called Gerry Adams.”

Eleanor Lucas, a lawyer representing Tpr Nicholls, said the behaviour was “harmless horseplay between friends”.

Tpr Nicholls and Tpr Coutts both face one charge of racially aggravated battery on Tpr Alexander.

The trial continues.