TWELVE paratroopers based in Colchester were dismissed or disciplined last year after committing offences including sexual assault and causing grievous bodily harm, records reveal.
The soldiers from 2 and 3 Para and 216 Parachute Signal Squadron, based at Merville Barracks, rank from private to corporal.
The highest-ranking soldier was a corporal in 3 Para who was found guilty of two charges of sexual assault and a separate charge of using threatening, abusive, insulting, or provocative behaviour.
Records published by the Military Court Service reveal they were dismissed from the Army and subjected to a three-year service community order with a requirement to attend rehabilitation sessions.
The Army said the soldiers and officers found guilty of an offence were dealt with through the military’s disciplinary process.
A lance corporal in 2 Para was reduced in rank to private and detained for a total of 120 days after being found guilty of two charges of affray.
RELATED: Colchester soldiers disciplined and dismissed for sexual assaults and GBH offences
Another soldier of the same rank in the same unit was found guilty of unlawfully inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and causing affray. They were detained for two years and faced a demotion to private.
Other offences included unfitness or misconduct through alcohol or drugs which saw a private in 3 Para fined £1,320.
Two soldiers in 216 (Para) Sig Sqn were fined for contravening standing orders. One of them, a signaller, was cleared of a separate charge of sexual assault.
'We expect high standards'
The highest-ranking officer, a 2 Para captain, normally second-in-command of up to 120 soldiers, was also punished for negligently performing a duty and fined £624.72 after being cleared of a more serious charge of fraud.
A British Army spokesman said: “We expect very high standards of behaviour of our personnel, whether they are on or off duty.
“All those who are found to have committed an offence, including a criminal offence under the Armed Forces Act 2006 are dealt with through the disciplinary process.
“Those who have otherwise fallen short of the Army's high standards are dealt with administratively and may face sanctions including dismissal.”
More than 3,000 military personnel are based in Colchester.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel