Review into RAF man’s death ordered

A WATCHDOG has demanded police review its probe into the death of a Scots RAF firefighter at an Oxfordshire barracks.

Senior aircrafts man Robert Fleeting, of East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, was found dead in his room at RAF Benson on September 4, 2011.

A coroner’s inquest into the death of the 24-year old, who was engaged, ruled he took his own life after having sex with gay medic Ryan Charlton and struggling with his sexuality.

But Robert’s parents Charlie, 51, and Susan, 53, asked police to investigate after speaking to a serviceman’s wife who said her husband had told her he had contributed to their son’s death.

They lodged a complaint with the Independent Police Complaints Commission over the handling of the case by Thames Valley Police.

His parents say the claims include allegations that he was “beasted” – an informal military punishment – the day before his death.

The commission responded to the family’s request saying their “appeal is upheld and will be subject to further investigation by TVP”.

Mrs Fleeting said the account of her son’s death the East Kilbride family has been told is “just so unbelievable”, adding: “We still have so many questions that remain unanswered and we are glad to see this has now been sent back to Thames Valley Police for them to investigate.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “Thames Valley Police was instructed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission yesterday to review a number of areas of its initial investigation into the death of Robert Fleeting, who died at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire, on 4 September, 2011.”