25/07/2007

Three charged over death of soldier

Three servicemen are to be charged with manslaughter over the death of a 22-year-old private at barracks in Wiltshire last year.

Gavin Williams, from Hengoed in Caerphilly, collapsed and died last July at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth.

Pte Williams, who was serving with the Royal Welsh regiment when he died, was allegedly being punished when he collapsed.

The Crown Prosecution Service has advised Wiltshire Police to charge Sergeant Russell Price, Sergeant Paul Blake and Corporal John Edwards with manslaughter.

CPS lawyer Stephen O'Doherty said that Pte Williams had been subjected to "an intense period of physical activity amounting to unlawful punishment on an extremely hot day".

The three men are due to appear before Salisbury Magistrates' Court on August 1.

(KMcA/SP)

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