Army
Deepcut: Former Sergeant Admits Having 'Two Sides'
A former British Army troop sergeant at Deepcut barracks has told an inquest into the death of Private Cheryl James that he had two sides.
Former sniper Andrew Gavaghan described himself as naturally caring with a soft management style, but admitted sometimes introducing a so-called 'twin brother' to 'shout and scream' at the young soldiers.
Another former troop sergeant, meanwhile, has denied picking on Private James, who was found dead at the barracks, because she did not return his romantic interest.
Peter Mant, for the family of Pte James, made the suggestion at the inquest into her death at Woking Coroner's Court.
He asked Adrian Stevens:
"You fancied Cheryl. You gave her all the good jobs and, when she did not respond, you started picking on her - that is the truth, isn't it?"
Mr Stevens, who had described Pte James as "very bubbly" and as a "pretty girl", replied: "No."
He denied giving extra guard duty to Pte James as a punishment or that such a practice was imposed on the recruits. He also said he was shocked and surprised by her death.
Location where Pte Cheryl James' body was discovered (CREDIT: MOD POLICE)
Pte Cheryl James, 18, of Llangollen, north-east Wales, was found shot dead at Deepcut Barracks in November 1995.
She was the second of four young trainees found shot dead on guard duty at the Surrey barracks between 1995 and 2002.
Private Sean Benton died in June 1995, aged 20. Private Geoff Gray was 17 when he was found dead in September 2001. Private James Collinson, also 17, was found dead in March 2002. All four died from gunshot wounds.
Mr Stevens, who left the British Army in March 2005, had previously described his time at Deepcut as the "worst two-and-a-half years of my life", the inquest heard. He served for 26 years.
Mr Mant said morale was low given that people felt "very stretched".
Mr Stevens said "between the recruits, yes, at times".
The inquest also heard from the former Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) at Deepcut Barracks, Steven Buchanan.
He described a chaotic picture, with little discipline and stated that he didn't know alcohol and drugs were being consumed by trainee soldiers.
Steven Buchanan was removed from his post a week before Cheryl died.
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