Three face soldier killing charge

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Lawyers for the CPS advised Wiltshire Police to charge Sergeant Russell Price, Sergeant Paul Blake and Corporal John Edwards with manslaughter following the death of Private Gavin Williams on July 3, 2006.

Stephen O'Doherty, CPS reviewing lawyer, said: "Pte Williams, a soldier with the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh, was to be charged and would have faced sanctions and an inquiry into a series of alleged disciplinary breaches he had committed."

He said that Pte Williams was subjected to "an intense period of physical activity amounting to unlawful punishment, on an extremely hot day".

Pte Williams collapsed at Lucknow Barracks, Tidworth and was rushed to hospital but despite treatment for overheating, died the same day.

The three defendants will appear at Salisbury magistrates' court on August 1, the CPS said.

Following the death of Pte Williams, 22, of Hengoed, Mid Glamorgan, it was reported that he had been in trouble with his superiors after playing a joke with a fire extinguisher.

His family said after his death last year that they would place their faith in a police investigation.

Grandfather Ralph Williams, 67, spoke of the family's, "devastation and disbelief", adding: "I am glad the police are looking into it because I have no faith in the military. The police will get to the bottom of what has happened and it will all come out in public."

Wiltshire Police confirmed that the three men were charged and released on bail to appear in court on August 1.