Army 'does not tolerate beasting'

The Army does "not allow or condone" informal punishment known as beasting, the Ministry of Defence has said.

It comes after three soldiers were cleared of the manslaughter of Pte Gavin Williams, of Hengoed, Caerphilly.

Winchester Crown Court heard Pte Williams, 22, collapsed and died after an intense session of physical exercise at Lucknow Barracks, Wiltshire in 2006.

Following the not guilty verdicts, the MoD said senior officers act quickly to stop any suspected bullying.

'Fully aware'

An MoD spokesman said: "The Army does not allow or condone any form of physical activity to be used for disciplinary purposes.

"Commanding officers are made fully aware of their responsibility to protect their soldiers from all forms of physical and mental harassment or intimidation, and any suspicion of bullying is dealt with immediately.

"These principles are reinforced throughout all military training."

Sgt Russell Price, 45, Sgt Paul Blake, 37, and Cpl John Edwards, 42, were found not guilty by a jury.

The prosecution alleged Pte Williams, of the Second Battalion the Royal Welsh Regiment, was being punished on one of the hottest days of 2006 for drunken activities.

Tests subsequently showed he had ecstasy in his body when he died.

Military investigation

In his summing up, trial judge Mr Justice Royce said: "This sort of activity should not be condoned and mustn't be allowed to happen again."

He had asked the jury to consider whether the defendants had been "hung out to dry", while their commander, Capt Mark Davis, was not prosecuted.

The MoD said the decision on who should stand trial was a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service not the Army.

The Royal Military Police will now investigate the death to see whether there were any breaches of military law.

Outside court, Pte Williams' mother Debra said she was "devastated" with the verdicts and would "continue fighting for justice".

Supt Steve Hedley, from Wiltshire Police, said they had "left no stone unturned" in an effort to establish the full circumstances.

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