Former Army Instructor Faces Misconduct Charge Amid Scandal
- Surrey Police has reopened investigations into the deaths of five recruits at a military barracks over 20 years ago.
- Families of the victims are dissatisfied with the lack of accountability for those responsible for the alleged abuse.
- The recent charge indicates a potential shift in how cases of military misconduct are handled.
A former instructor at a military barracks that witnessed the deaths of five recruits is now under investigation by police. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is reviewing evidence to decide on charges following allegations of misconduct in a public office. Families of the deceased express frustration that no personnel had faced court trials for the abuse reported at the barracks, known for a history of abuse allegations. Notable cases include Private Sean Benton, who died in 1995 from gunshot wounds, and others like Private Cheryl James and Private James Collinson, whose deaths raised significant suspicions and led to calls for renewed investigations. Despite previous inquests returning suicide verdicts, families allege serious flaws in the original investigations, prompting further scrutiny into the military's handling of these tragic events.