'Beasting' jury considers verdict

Pte Williams died after being punished

A jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of three soldiers accused of killing a junior colleague at a Wiltshire barracks.

Pte Gavin Williams, of Hengoed, Caerphilly, collapsed and died at Lucknow barracks in Tidworth in 2006.

The 22-year-old died after allegedly being subjected to informal punishment known as "beasting".

Sgt Russell Price, 45, Sgt Paul Blake, 37, and Cpl John Edwards, 42, all deny Pte Williams' manslaughter.

Earlier, Winchester Crown Court heard that Pte Williams was in trouble for drunken behaviour.

Pte Williams had been aggressive and let off a fire extinguisher at Daniel Brown, a guest of Capt Mark Davis, at a weekend regimental ball on 1 July 2006.

Cpl Edwards told the court he was ordered by his superior officer Capt Mark Davis to bring Pte Williams to him "panting like a dog", which he understood meant he should be marched as a punishment or "beasting".

During the punishment Pte Williams began to complain but was not actually sick.

Pte Williams was taken to physical training instructor Sgt Blake after marching, for more intense physical exercise, but later collapsed from overheating and died.

Having failed to reach a verdict, the jury was sent home on Wednesday afternoon.