Trainer cleared in army bullying

The military trial is being held at Catterick Garrison

An army training instructor has been cleared of neglecting his duty over the alleged bullying and ill-treatment of recruits at a base in North Yorkshire.

Colour Sgt Michael Hetherington was accused of failing to report that three soldiers at Catterick Garrison had complained of being beaten.

He was formally cleared of two charges at a court martial.

Two other instructors have been cleared of two of eight charges of mistreating the recruits by assaulting them.

Colour Sgt Hetherington of the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, was accused of neglecting to perform a formal duty by not reporting the incidents.

Assistant Judge Advocate General Paul Camp directed the military panel to return a not guilty verdict against him.

'Kicked in ribs'

Cpl Christopher Jakeman and ex-Cpl Stuart Pagett, of the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, are also accused of mistreating the soldiers by assaulting them.

The judge also directed the jury to return not guilty verdicts against Cpl Jakeman and ex-Cpl Pagett for two of the eight charges faced by each man.

Ex-Rifleman Thomas Pearson, Kingsman Matthew Lucas and Rifleman Derek Antwi-Boasiako told the military court they were beaten, kicked and punched by Cpl Jakeman and ex-Cpl Pagett for making mistakes during their training.

The court heard ex-Cpl Pagett allegedly kicked ex-Rifleman Pearson in the ribs and head for falling behind in a steeplechase exercise.

Cpl Jakeman was also accused of mistreating the soldier by kneeing him in the groin as a punishment for forgetting his combat armour before an exercise.

Cpl Jakeman, who returned from active service in Afghanistan to face the court martial, said the charges against him were "a farce".

He denied ever hitting, punching, or kicking ex-Rifleman Pearson during his time at Catterick, saying that "couldn't and didn't happen".

He said he would shout at the soldier as a means of getting him through the gruelling training schedule.

"He was a person who needed a shock. It was to help him. That is my job," he said.

The trial, at the Catterick Garrison base, continues.