Army
Fresh Inquest Into Death Of Private Sean Benton
The High Court has given the go-ahead for a fresh inquest into the death of a young soldier at Deepcut barracks in Surrey more than two decades ago.
Private Sean Benton was found with five bullet wounds to his chest in June 1995.
He was the first of four young recruits to die at Deepcut Barracks between 1995 and 2002.
His mother campaigned relentlessly for a new inquest into his death, but the family's solicitor, Emma Norton, has said that it is unfortunate that because of the delay, Sean's mother and father are no longer alive to see today's decision.
In a statement given outside the High Court in London on behalf of the family, the solicitor said:
"If [Private Benton's] death had been properly investigated at the start, [his family] could have been saved years of uncertainty and pain... this should be a source of great shame to the British Army and the Ministry of Defence".
In response, the MoD has said:
"We care deeply about our young recruits and our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Private Sean Benton. It would be inappropriate to comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing - we will assist the Coroner as necessary".
In June, coroner Brian Barker QC ruled that suicide was the cause of death for Private Cheryl James, one of the other four soldiers who died at Deepcut during that seven-year period. The other two were Privates James Collinson and Geoff Gray.
The four soldiers died amid claims of bullying and abuse.
In his report, Mr Barker also said that "consensual but improper relations between instructors and trainees" existed there.
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