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Cheryl James Deepcut death: Family in exhumation call | Cheryl James Deepcut death: Family in exhumation call |
(about 22 hours later) | |
The family of a soldier found dead at Deepcut Barracks has urged a coroner to let her body be exhumed so a "full inquiry" can be held into her death. | The family of a soldier found dead at Deepcut Barracks has urged a coroner to let her body be exhumed so a "full inquiry" can be held into her death. |
Pte Cheryl James, 18, from Llangollen, Denbighshire, was found with a bullet wound to her head in Surrey in 1995. | Pte Cheryl James, 18, from Llangollen, Denbighshire, was found with a bullet wound to her head in Surrey in 1995. |
Her parents said a dispute over the ballistics evidence could only be resolved if her body is exhumed. | Her parents said a dispute over the ballistics evidence could only be resolved if her body is exhumed. |
Coroner Brian Barker QC said he would wait for a doctor's report before he made the decision. | Coroner Brian Barker QC said he would wait for a doctor's report before he made the decision. |
He told the pre-inquest review at Woking Coroner's Court that exhumation was a "difficult and unusual" step. | He told the pre-inquest review at Woking Coroner's Court that exhumation was a "difficult and unusual" step. |
'Exhumation necessary' | 'Exhumation necessary' |
Alison Foster QC, representing Pte James' family, said her relatives were "really dismayed to be at this point today". | Alison Foster QC, representing Pte James' family, said her relatives were "really dismayed to be at this point today". |
"From our standpoint, an exhumation would be necessary for you to carry out a full and proper inquiry." | "From our standpoint, an exhumation would be necessary for you to carry out a full and proper inquiry." |
Bullet fragments in Pte James' body were yellow, while the SA80 rifle she was armed with used red bullets, Ms Foster said. | Bullet fragments in Pte James' body were yellow, while the SA80 rifle she was armed with used red bullets, Ms Foster said. |
"There is no actual evidence that it was an SA80 that caused the bullet wound to Cheryl," she added. | "There is no actual evidence that it was an SA80 that caused the bullet wound to Cheryl," she added. |
The coroner said the full inquest on 1 February would consider whether there were "shortcomings" with the barracks's policies on sexual behaviour, supervision of young females, drugs, alcohol and accommodation. | The coroner said the full inquest on 1 February would consider whether there were "shortcomings" with the barracks's policies on sexual behaviour, supervision of young females, drugs, alcohol and accommodation. |
Another pre-inquest hearing is to held on 10 September. | Another pre-inquest hearing is to held on 10 September. |
Pte James was one of four soldiers found dead at Deepcut, in Camberley, between 1995 and 2002. | Pte James was one of four soldiers found dead at Deepcut, in Camberley, between 1995 and 2002. |
Surrey Police's request that her inquest should be heard alongside fresh inquests into the deaths of Privates Sean Benton, Geoff Gray and James Collinson was turned down. | Surrey Police's request that her inquest should be heard alongside fresh inquests into the deaths of Privates Sean Benton, Geoff Gray and James Collinson was turned down. |
A spokeswoman for the force said: "[Surrey Police] has now completed the review of disclosure documents relating to Pte James." | |
She said arrangements for the inquest were a matter for the coroner. | |
"Surrey Police is supportive of the view that there should be a thorough inquest into circumstances surrounding the death of Pte James and our thoughts remain with her family." |
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