'Criminal Or Reckless Acts' May Have Contributed To Soldier's Death At Deepcut

'Criminal or reckless' acts may have contributed to the death of a teenage soldier at Deepcut barracks, according to the family's lawyer. 

Private Geoff Gray, 17, from Hackney, east London, was found with two gunshot wounds to his head on September 17, 2001.

Three other soldiers were found dead from gunshot wounds at Deepcut barracks between 1995 and 2002. 

In 2002, a coroner recorded an open verdict, which did not include a narrative conclusion.

But last summer, the soldier's family won the right to apply to the High Court for a new inquest, following Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC's satisfaction that fresh evidence had come to light.

Today, there was a pre-inquest hearing at the Old Bailey, attended by parents Geoff senior and Diane Gray.

The inquest, due to take place in Woking in February 2019, will see if there was "third party" involvement. 

John Cooper QC, representing the Gray family, told the hearing:

"In terms of bullying within Deepcut, one of the distinctive features of the Geoff Gray inquest is we are not suggesting he was bullied or it was suicide.

"His death was inexplicable.

"We have no indication at the moment that he was bullied in any way whatever or he was cognisant or part of any regime that was bullying him.

"Our position as far as Geoff is concerned distinguishes him from other Deepcut inquests."

Mr Cooper QC has now called the inquest to investigate "whether there was a regime that allowed individuals to act in a criminal or reckless way".

He added:

"That's not bullying as such. That's a criminal regime."

The inquest will include how Private Grey died and the events during the evening guard duty of September 17, 2001.

The coroner will examine who fired any shots and "whether any third party action was involved in the death".

Private Gray's state of mind on the day he died and whether the body was moved will also be investigated.

"His death was inexplicable" - John Cooper QC

Additionally, the inquest will analyse if there were any "systematic shortcomings" that may have contributed to Private Gray's death.

This includes policies around guard duty, giving weapons to trainees and their supervision and welfare. 

Georgina Wolfe, from the Ministry of Defence, said efforts were underway to search for any relevant documents.

But she told the Gray family not to have "false expectations", over how much would eventually be disclosed to them. 

Mr Cooper QC said he had "reason to believe" the Army Legal Services and Army Legal Corp may hold potential evidence concerning Deepcut and Private Gray. He called for inquiries to be made. 

The coroner said he would consider arguments from the Grays to include a jury.

The next pre-inquest hearing is expected to take place at the Old Bailey on July 16. 

The full inquest is expected to happen between February and Easter 2019.