Army

Deepcut: Pte Cheryl James Moved To Tears Weeks Before Her Death

A court has been told that a troop sergeant shouted and swore at Private Cheryl James until she cried, just weeks before she died.

The 18-year-old recruit was discovered with a fatal bullet wound on 27th November, 1995 - one of four young soldiers to die at the training camp in Surrey over a seven-year period.

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.

Daniel Griffiths, who was joined the British Army alongside Cheryl in 1995 said he saw her brought to tears by their troop sergeant, Sgt Andrew Gavaghan.

Sgt Gavaghan has already given evidence and denied the incident took place.

The coroner ruled that the court would not hear Mr Griffiths' allegations of the repercussions the following day for having interrupted the alleged telling off.

The inquest has also been told the staffing at the camp was seriously under-resourced at the time.

Lt Col Robert Gasgoigne, who was a Major at the time, said he did his best to provide an imaginative training regime to prevent boredom.

He denied that the trainees were out of control but said he was aware sexual behaviour was taking place and that the young soldiers were drinking alcohol on the camp.

The inquest continues...