NEWS: A Death Off Barracks

MARK McLAUGHLIN
Evening News (Edinburgh)
September 13, 2010, Monday

THE father of a former Scots judo champion who died suddenly while serving in the army in England has paid tribute to his "fantastic daughter".

Corporal Stephanie Hart, originally from Sighthill, took a bronze for Scotland at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 before signing up for the army shortly before the outbreak of the war in Iraq.

She died aged just 29 while serving in Aldershot, Hampshire, where she was stationed with 10th Queen's Own Gurkha Logistics Regiment.

Miss Hart, known as Steph, was stationed in the town as part of a British force attached to the predominantly Nepalese regiment. Her death on August 28 occurred off barracks.

Miss Hart's father Ian, 60, who lives in Broxburn, said: "I couldn't have asked for a better daughter. She wasn't only a friend to me but a friend to many.

"She was a fantastic daughter. She liked school, even though she didn't particularly excel. She was excellent at college, where she did sports science, and had ambitions to go to university but she put it on hold to train in judo for the Commonwealth Games. She was told that you only get one shot at it, whereas you can study any time, so she went for it.

"We were delighted when she got her lottery funding and I supported her every step of the way, but despite the funding I had to put a lot more money into her training than I ever had.

"In the end she decided to join the army to prove to everyone that she was able to stand on her own two feet and make a living."

Mr Hart declined to comment on the circumstances of her death, or discuss her military career, saying he would prefer to leave these matters to the army.

An army spokeswoman declined to comment on the cause of death, except to say that an initial police investigation found no suspicious circumstances.

She added: "A full inquest was also carried out and returned no outstanding questions. As far as the army is concerned the matter is now closed."

Miss Hart joined her local judo club aged eight. She won her first Scottish senior title at the age of 15 and represented Scotland at three Commonwealth Games.

After joining the army, she led the Combined Services Ladies Team to the national team medal in 2002.

Mr Hart added: "Stephanie was outstanding, as a sportswoman, as a soldier, a daughter, a sister, auntie and cousin. Everybody loved her.

"We loved her and the army loved her. She put into her 29 years ten times what most people put into their whole life. I couldn't be more proud of her."

A statement from the British Judo Association said: "Steph was the ultimate professional as well as a talented sportswoman, a true ambassador and role model for all.

"Steph will be sadly missed by her judo friends, who remember her as an effervescent player who always had time for everyone."

Miss Hart served in Iraq as part of the first British non-special forces unit across the border from Kuwait at the start of the war. She later transferred to the Royal Logistics Corps, and came back from a tour of duty to Afghanistan in March.

She is survived by her father, her mother Janet, siblings Phil, Sharon and Terry.

She is to be given a full military funeral at Mortonhall Crematorium Main Chapel on Wednesday.