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Gavin Williams army beasting inquest: Key witnesses absent Gavin Williams army beasting inquest: Key witnesses absent
(about 20 hours later)
Two key witnesses will be missing from an inquest into the death of a south Wales soldier who collapsed and died following punishment exercises.Two key witnesses will be missing from an inquest into the death of a south Wales soldier who collapsed and died following punishment exercises.
Pte Gavin Williams, 22, of Hengoed, Caerphilly was serving with the Second Battalion of the Royal Welsh Regiment at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth.Pte Gavin Williams, 22, of Hengoed, Caerphilly was serving with the Second Battalion of the Royal Welsh Regiment at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth.
He died after a physical punishment known as 'beasting'. He died after a physical punishment known as "beasting".
Army officials said two soldiers cleared of his manslaughter have not yet been spoken to in person.Army officials said two soldiers cleared of his manslaughter have not yet been spoken to in person.
Sgt Russell Price, 45, Sgt Paul Blake, 37, and Cpl John Edwards, 42, were found not guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Winchester Crown Court in 2008.Sgt Russell Price, 45, Sgt Paul Blake, 37, and Cpl John Edwards, 42, were found not guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Winchester Crown Court in 2008.
A pre-inquest hearing in Salisbury was told that Mr Blake could be 'out of jurisdiction' of a coroner's court, as he now lived in Australia, while Mr Price could not be found, despite searches of records. A pre-inquest hearing in Salisbury was told that Mr Blake could be "out of jurisdiction" of a coroner's court, as he now lived in Australia, while Mr Price could not be found, despite searches of records.
During the criminal trial the prosecution alleged Pte Williams was put through an intense session of physical exercise, or beasting, to punish him for misbehaviour.During the criminal trial the prosecution alleged Pte Williams was put through an intense session of physical exercise, or beasting, to punish him for misbehaviour.
'Lessons to be learned''Lessons to be learned'
He was admitted to hospital where tests showed his body temperature was at 41.7C, higher than the norm of 37C, while tests subsequently showed he had ecstasy in his body when he died.He was admitted to hospital where tests showed his body temperature was at 41.7C, higher than the norm of 37C, while tests subsequently showed he had ecstasy in his body when he died.
Following the acquittal, trial judge Mr Justice Royce attacked the Army for allowing beasting to take place.Following the acquittal, trial judge Mr Justice Royce attacked the Army for allowing beasting to take place.
"This sort of activity should not be condoned and mustn't be allowed to happen again and this lesson must be clearly relayed to those in charge," he said."This sort of activity should not be condoned and mustn't be allowed to happen again and this lesson must be clearly relayed to those in charge," he said.
After the verdict the director general personnel of the British Army, Major General Andrew Gregory, said: "The Army deeply regrets the death of Private Williams and my thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."After the verdict the director general personnel of the British Army, Major General Andrew Gregory, said: "The Army deeply regrets the death of Private Williams and my thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
A subsequent Royal Military Police investigation did not result in any court marshals. A subsequent Royal Military Police investigation did not result in any courts martial.
Inquest reopensInquest reopens
The inquest into Pte Williams death is due to reopen this autumn, at his family's request. The inquest into Pte Williams's death is due to reopen this autumn, at his family's request.
Assistant Coroner Alan Large said he would be calling witnesses to give evidence about what they saw and heard the day Gavin Williams died to understand how discipline was kept. Assistant coroner Alan Large said he would be calling witnesses to give evidence about what they saw and heard the day Gavin Williams died to understand how discipline was kept.
"What I need to know is the scale of the issue and I need to know the nature of the issue.""What I need to know is the scale of the issue and I need to know the nature of the issue."
He said the court would also hear a statement from Gavin William's family.He said the court would also hear a statement from Gavin William's family.