Private Cheryl James died from 'self-inflicted shot'

Private Cheryl James shot herself at Deepcut barracks, a coroner has ruled.

Brian Barker QC told the inquest at Woking Coroner's Court there was no evidence Private Cheryl James was unlawfully killed while she was on guard duty in the Surrey base in 1995.

Instead, Mr Barker was satisfied that Ms James died as a result of a "self-inflicted" shot, as soot of gunshot residue was found on her hand and face.

He said: "I find that Ms James' left hand was in contact with the rifle muzzle when the fatal shot was fired."

"There was soot on the face and hand showing there was a contact or near contact shot."

Delivering his verdict following a three-month inquest into her death, he said: "The conclusion is self infliction. This was an intentional discharge by Ms James."

Her family delivered a statement outside the Coroner's Court in Woking and said they were "deeply saddened and surprised" by the verdict.

"Deepcut was a toxic and horrible environment for a young woman and we have no doubt, that this would've had a terrible impact on those that were required to live there", they added.

Private James, 18, from north Wales, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head in 1995 - one of four recruits to die at the Surrey barracks in seven years.

The Army insists all the deaths were suicide but the soldiers' families had fiercely disputed the claim.

In a statement issued after the verdict, the MOD apologised to the family of Private James and said the Army was now a beacon of equality and opportunity:

Mr Barker delivered a scathing attack on the initial investigation into her death, which he described as poor, and said there was an early assumption of suicide.

Private James' clothes were burned and the interviews at the barracks were inadequate. Furthermore, the scene was compromised and ballistics tests were not carried out to see if the bullet was from her rifle.

Mr Barker said: "This has left unanswered questions which understandably fuelled speculation as to how Ms James died."

"When I ask myself if there is sufficient evidence with which I can properly reach a conclusion of unlawful killing the only answer I have is 'no'," he added.

Coroner Brian Barker said it was "regrettable" her death was not better investigated at the time.

He was also critical about practices at Deepcut, saying there were far too few officers to train and look after the young squaddies, who were left bored and indisciplined.

Following the verdict, Surrey Police apologised for the "mistakes" in the initial investigation.

Speaking outside the coroner's court, Detective Superintendent Adam Hibbert said Surrey Police "have long accepted mistakes were made during this initial investigation, and has previously apologised to the family for those errors.

"Today, we would reiterate those apologies", he added.

During the inquest, Brian Barker QC highlighted a heavy drinking culture at the Surrey barracks and was provided with overwhelming evidence of a "sexualised atmosphere", with inappropriate relationships between commanding officers or instructors and young recruits.

Speaking at a fresh inquest into Pte James' death after the original 'open' verdict was quashed, Mr Barker said:

• Lone guard activity - which Pte James was carrying out when she was killed - was a "potentially dangerous activity"

• Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) handed out guard duty to trainees as punishment - which is against army rules

• The extent to which trainees were able to have sex was "inappropriate"

• The Army accepted that some instructors "saw young females as a sexual challenge"

• The "haphazard provision of welfare support was insufficient"