Former army sergeant regrets adopting 'aggressive style' towards recruits at Deepcut Barracks

A former army sergeant accused of bullying young soldiers at Deepcut Barracks in Surrey has told an inquest he regrets adopting an 'aggressive style' towards recruits.

The hearing is into the death of Private Sean Benton from Hastings who died of gunshot wounds at the barracks in 1995.

The inquest heard Private Sean Benton persuaded a guard on duty at Deepcut Barracks to allow him to do guard duty on the night he died.

Sergeant Andrew Gavaghan said he recommended Sean Benton not be allowed to do guard duty after being given his discharge orders from the army.

He also said he had spoken to Sean Benton that night and he was seen to be in low spirits, but brightened up at the thought he was going to go home and spend time with his family in Hastings in Sussex.

Andrew Gavaghan also said he regretted taking on a more 'aggressive approach' in his attitude to recruits and now he looked back, he realised it distressed some people.