A teenage soldier died from hypothermia after falling asleep drunk in a field, an inquest heard.

Carl Johnson, 17, was found wearing just a short sleeved top and trousers even though it was bitterly cold.

Mr Johnson had joined the Army less than a year earlier and had been based at Colchester Garrison for a few weeks, Colchester Coroner's Court heard on Wednesday.

Following a Regimental Medal Parade at the Garrison on November 18 Mr Johnson, a private stationed with 10 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, had a few drinks at a bar set up in the sports hall.

He then went into the town centre with some other soldiers and had more drinks at the Hippodrome nightclub.

When he returned by minicab to camp in Roman Way at about 11.45pm, he was sick and despite being encouraged to go to bed ran off down the road.

The court heard he would have been "severely under the influence of alcohol" and had consumed more than three times the limit legal for driving.

Private Thomas Murphy said he saw Mr Johnson get out of the minicab and tried to talk to him but did not get any response.

He added: "He tried to walk and he fell into the grass. I asked if he was all right but he did not give a reply and started to vomit."

He asked Private David Cook, who was on guard duty, to keep an eye on Mr Johnson.

Pte Cook said: "I asked him if he was all right and said he should go to bed so he didn't get in any bother. He just stood up and nodded his head and ran off down the road."

The next day, his body was discovered in a field near the garrison by Essex Police dog handler PC Mark Needham.

PC Needham said: "It was very cold and wet and I could see an object out in the middle of the field. It was very barren and open to all the elements.

"When I got within 70 metres, it become apparent it was a body. He had a pair of jeans on and a shirt but the shirt had ridden up."

Ministry of Defence Police said the death was not suspicious.

Essex Coroner Dr Malcolm Weir said: "He certainly was severely under the influence of alcohol and tragically made the decision to run off."

Dr Weir added: "He was an adult and there was nothing the Army could do to stop the tragedy happening."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.

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