Tri-Service
Deepcut Army Recruit 'May Have Been Raped Before She Died'
An inquest into the death of a teenage British Army recruit has been presented with new evidence suggesting that she may have been sexually exploited by senior ranks shortly before she died.
Lawyers representing the family of Private Cheryl James, who died 20 years ago, are asking for the scope of a new hearing into the 18-year-old's death at the Deepcut Barracks to be widened to take account of new testimony - which they say sheds new light on her state of mind.
Alison Foster QC, representing the teenager's family, told a pre-inquest hearing at Woking Coroner's Court they have material suggesting that Cheryl "may have been sexually coerced or raped the night before, or before the time of her death".
She added: "There is now a direct allegation that Cheryl might have been ordered to sleep with the person we are calling Witness A by someone superior in rank to her."
She continued: "This is not fraternising. This is not an illicit sexual relationship between two young people across the ranks. This is something quite different."
Pte James, 18, was found with a single bullet wound to her head in November 1995, when undergoing initial training at the Surrey barracks.
She was one of four soldiers who died at the barracks, between 1995 and 2002, amid claims of bullying and abuse. Privates Sean Benton, James Collinson and Geoff Gray also died from gunshot wounds.
A fresh inquest, due to start in February, was ordered into Pte James's death after High Court judges quashed an open verdict recorded in December 1995.
Coroner Brian Barker QC says he will make a written ruling on whether to widen the scope of the inquest in the next few weeks.
Cheryl's parents made a personal appeal on Forces TV for fresh information ahead of the new inquest:
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