NEWS: Army Bullying

By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
September 22, 2008

A FORMER Army recruit who was badly beaten at Catterick training centre has launched legal action against the MoD, claiming the assault has ruined his life.

Ian Stodart, 23, from Danderhall, endured reconstructive surgery after a fellow recruit kicked him in the face and head.

The former St David's High pupil claims he was the victim of a campaign of bullying by fellow recruits and instructors, during his six months' training in summer 2004.

In one incident he claims a PT instructor grabbed him by the throat and threw him to the ground. Mr Stodart's claims follow an undercover investigation by the BBC, which exposed the heavy-handed tactics used by some Catterick trainers.

However, it was the abuse he sustained at the hands of fellow trainees that shattered his confidence and left him unable to hold down a job or a home, he said.

He said: "I was in my bunk and all of a sudden there were all these guys around me. There was a lot of pushing and shoving, and then one of them set upon me.

"He kicked me in the head and smashed my eye socket. I had to have a metal plate put into the side of my face, which still causes blurred vision to this day."

Mr Stodart also claims he witnessed fellow recruits carrying live rounds into their billets.

He added: "Live rounds were banned on the barracks, but they would hide them in the roof spaces. They said it was for a bit of 'extra fun' on the shooting range, but while I was in hospital recovering from my assault, a recruit killed himself with a bullet."

At one point, Mr Stodart's parents tried to intervene.

His father, Andrew Stodart, 48, said: "He told us about the rough treatment by the PT instructor, but when we phoned they told us it was none of our concern. When we went to see him after his assault, he was a mess."

After training, Ian was deemed unfit for service and discharged from the Army, but said the emotional trauma he endured at Catterick has left him with depression and dramatic mood swings.

He admits his moods have made him unpopular with Midlothian housing officials, and for the last few years he has been shunted around homeless hostels and B&Bs.

Midlothian Council is now committed to finding him a home.

Mr Stodart's lawyer, Patrick McGuire, of Glasgow-based criminal injuries lawyer Thomsons Solicitors, confirmed a court action has now been raised to claim compensation.

He said: "We are pursuing the case on the grounds of vicarious responsibility. The Army had a duty of care to my client, and it will be up to a judge to decide whether it lived up to that responsibility."

An MoD spokesman confirmed the attack had taken place during Mr Stodart's spell at Catterick, and that it has received a claim for compensation relating to the physical and mental abuse he endured at the hands of recruits.

He added: "Bullying is absolutely unacceptable and fundamentally at odds with the Army's core values. We take all allegations of inappropriate behaviour extremely seriously and investigate thoroughly."