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19/06/2008
Three Accused Of Soldier Manslaughter
The jury has been selected to try three soldiers accused of killing a junior soldier through an informal punishment.
Private Gavin Williams, 22, died at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth, Wiltshire, on 3 July, 2006.
Sergeant Russell Price, 45, of 2 Rifles, Sergeant Paul Blake, 37, and Corporal John Edwards, 45, of 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment, all deny the manslaughter of Pte Williams.
It is understood that the punishment known as "beasting" is an "exhausting physical activity".
The court heard that Pte Williams had told the three senior colleagues who were overseeing the punishment that he was "cooking up" and that he could "not go on".
Prosecutor Mark Dennis QC said that by the time Williams had fallen to the ground, "the damage had already been done" and his body was reacting to the "lethal effects of hyperthermia".
Mr Dennis said that the practise of "beasting" was occasionally used within Williams' battalion but "formed no part of Army law" and that is was a "crude disciplinary measure designed to "humiliate, push to the limit and hurt the recipient".
It is believed that Pte Williams suffered a heart attack caused by heatstroke and died an hour and a half later.
All three accused will stand trial at Winchester Crown Court.
(DS)
Private Gavin Williams, 22, died at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth, Wiltshire, on 3 July, 2006.
Sergeant Russell Price, 45, of 2 Rifles, Sergeant Paul Blake, 37, and Corporal John Edwards, 45, of 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment, all deny the manslaughter of Pte Williams.
It is understood that the punishment known as "beasting" is an "exhausting physical activity".
The court heard that Pte Williams had told the three senior colleagues who were overseeing the punishment that he was "cooking up" and that he could "not go on".
Prosecutor Mark Dennis QC said that by the time Williams had fallen to the ground, "the damage had already been done" and his body was reacting to the "lethal effects of hyperthermia".
Mr Dennis said that the practise of "beasting" was occasionally used within Williams' battalion but "formed no part of Army law" and that is was a "crude disciplinary measure designed to "humiliate, push to the limit and hurt the recipient".
It is believed that Pte Williams suffered a heart attack caused by heatstroke and died an hour and a half later.
All three accused will stand trial at Winchester Crown Court.
(DS)
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31 October 2006
Three soldiers arrested over barracks death
Police investigating the death of a Welsh soldier at a barracks in Wiltshire have arrested three soldiers. Private Gavin Williams, 22, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment, collapsed and died while exercising at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth on July 3.
Three soldiers arrested over barracks death
Police investigating the death of a Welsh soldier at a barracks in Wiltshire have arrested three soldiers. Private Gavin Williams, 22, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment, collapsed and died while exercising at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth on July 3.
25 July 2007
Three charged over death of soldier
Three servicemen are to be charged with manslaughter over the death of a 22-year-old private at barracks in Wiltshire last year. Gavin Williams, from Hengoed in Caerphilly, collapsed and died last July at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth.
Three charged over death of soldier
Three servicemen are to be charged with manslaughter over the death of a 22-year-old private at barracks in Wiltshire last year. Gavin Williams, from Hengoed in Caerphilly, collapsed and died last July at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth.
05 July 2006
Five still being questioned over soldier's death
Five servicemen are still being questioned over the death of a soldier who died while exercising at an army barracks in Wiltshire. Private Gavin Williams, 22, of Hengoed, Caerphilly, collapsed at Lucknow Barracks at Tidworth on Monday. It is believed that Pte Williams had been exercising as a disciplinary exercise for an act of misbehaviour.
Five still being questioned over soldier's death
Five servicemen are still being questioned over the death of a soldier who died while exercising at an army barracks in Wiltshire. Private Gavin Williams, 22, of Hengoed, Caerphilly, collapsed at Lucknow Barracks at Tidworth on Monday. It is believed that Pte Williams had been exercising as a disciplinary exercise for an act of misbehaviour.
22 July 2005
Soldiers bodies back home
The bodies of three Staffordshire Regiment soldiers have been flown back to the UK today. Pte Leon Spicer, 26, Pte Phillip Hewitt, 21 and 2nd Lieutenant Richard Shearer, 26, were killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in Al Amarah on 16 July.
Soldiers bodies back home
The bodies of three Staffordshire Regiment soldiers have been flown back to the UK today. Pte Leon Spicer, 26, Pte Phillip Hewitt, 21 and 2nd Lieutenant Richard Shearer, 26, were killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in Al Amarah on 16 July.
01 November 2006
Barracks death - two released on bail
Two soldiers arrested in connection with an investigation into the death of a Welsh soldier at a barracks in Wiltshire have been released on bail. Private Gavin Williams, 22, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment, collapsed and died while exercising at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth on July 3.
Barracks death - two released on bail
Two soldiers arrested in connection with an investigation into the death of a Welsh soldier at a barracks in Wiltshire have been released on bail. Private Gavin Williams, 22, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Regiment, collapsed and died while exercising at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth on July 3.
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