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'Bullied' Awol soldiers back home | 'Bullied' Awol soldiers back home |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Two soldiers who were absent without leave (Awol) for a month after claiming they were bullied are back home. | Two soldiers who were absent without leave (Awol) for a month after claiming they were bullied are back home. |
Ptes Andrew Jones, from south Wales, and Andre Treble were arrested on Tuesday after leaving their barracks in Wiltshire in early March. | |
Pte Treble said they had been allowed home on sick leave but must return to a barracks in Oxfordshire on 20 April. | Pte Treble said they had been allowed home on sick leave but must return to a barracks in Oxfordshire on 20 April. |
An Army spokesperson said the matter would be investigated by Royal Military Police. | An Army spokesperson said the matter would be investigated by Royal Military Police. |
"I don't want to go back at all - I just want to be out of the Army," said Pte Treble. | "I don't want to go back at all - I just want to be out of the Army," said Pte Treble. |
"If I could be out of the Army today, I would be happy." | "If I could be out of the Army today, I would be happy." |
The men, both 22, went missing from Buckley Barracks near Chippenham after Pte Treble claimed he was beaten by soldiers, who then ransacked his room. | The men, both 22, went missing from Buckley Barracks near Chippenham after Pte Treble claimed he was beaten by soldiers, who then ransacked his room. |
To come home as a free man is a feeling you can't describe Pte Andrew Jones | To come home as a free man is a feeling you can't describe Pte Andrew Jones |
Pte Treble had described how he was allegedly attacked and punched by other soldiers at the barracks while minding his business in his room. | Pte Treble had described how he was allegedly attacked and punched by other soldiers at the barracks while minding his business in his room. |
He claimed he was left with cuts on his head and a black eye. | He claimed he was left with cuts on his head and a black eye. |
Pte Jones said he felt he had to stand by his friend because of the bullying. | Pte Jones said he felt he had to stand by his friend because of the bullying. |
But after going Awol, a warrant was issued for their arrest. | But after going Awol, a warrant was issued for their arrest. |
They were arrested by South Wales Police on Tuesday following a tip off from a member of the public and transferred to the custody of the Royal Military Police. | They were arrested by South Wales Police on Tuesday following a tip off from a member of the public and transferred to the custody of the Royal Military Police. |
Pte Treble said: "The first day we were Awol we went to Wales, to Aberdare. | Pte Treble said: "The first day we were Awol we went to Wales, to Aberdare. |
"After that we went up north to Preston, Blackpool staying in B&Bs and in the car - anywhere we could because we had no money." | "After that we went up north to Preston, Blackpool staying in B&Bs and in the car - anywhere we could because we had no money." |
They returned to south Wales but knew they could be arrested at any time. | They returned to south Wales but knew they could be arrested at any time. |
"It was scary because we were constantly looking over our shoulders. Every time we stepped outside we thought we would get arrested," said Pte Treble. | "It was scary because we were constantly looking over our shoulders. Every time we stepped outside we thought we would get arrested," said Pte Treble. |
'Overwhelming feeling' | 'Overwhelming feeling' |
He is now staying with Pte Jones and his wife at their home in Mountain Ash in the Cynon Valley. | He is now staying with Pte Jones and his wife at their home in Mountain Ash in the Cynon Valley. |
Pte Jones said being home was "the best feeling in the world". | Pte Jones said being home was "the best feeling in the world". |
"To come home as a free man is a feeling you can't describe - it's an overwhelming feeling," he said. | "To come home as a free man is a feeling you can't describe - it's an overwhelming feeling," he said. |
"All I want to do now is get out of the Army and concentrate on being a husband and father. I want to get a normal job and have a normal life." | "All I want to do now is get out of the Army and concentrate on being a husband and father. I want to get a normal job and have a normal life." |
Pte Jones' wife Clair, 27, said she was delighted that her husband was back home. | Pte Jones' wife Clair, 27, said she was delighted that her husband was back home. |
"I'm glad he's home and he's safe, I'm delighted with it," she said. | "I'm glad he's home and he's safe, I'm delighted with it," she said. |
The Army said on Thursday that "any individual who returns from Awol is treated in a sensitive manner". | The Army said on Thursday that "any individual who returns from Awol is treated in a sensitive manner". |
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