Seven senior officers won’t face charges over female Army cadet’s suicide at Sandhurst
- Army cadet Olivia Perks was known to be a suicide risk before her death in 2019
- Investigation found the seven commanders failed to make allowances for her vulnerability
- It also found that welfare provisions at the military academy were inadequate
Seven of Sandhurst’s most senior officers investigated over the suicide of a female officer cadet will no longer face disciplinary charges, the Daily Mail can reveal.
A colonel, two lieutenant colonels and four other officers had been duty-bound to provide support to Olivia Perks, 21, who was known to be a suicide risk before her death in 2019.
An Army investigation found the seven commanders failed to make allowances for Miss Perks’ vulnerability and that welfare provisions at the world famous military academy were inadequate.
Files recommending charges against them for negligent discharge of their duties were sent to the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) last autumn.
A colonel, two lieutenant colonels and four other officers had been duty-bound to provide support to Olivia Perks, 21, who was known to be a suicide risk before her death in 2019
But, after six months of legal deliberations, Miss Perks’ family have been told the officers will not face a military court. However, the seven may be called as witnesses at a forthcoming inquest into her death – where two male instructors remain ‘interested parties’.
As the Mail has previously reported, one instructor allegedly had an affair with Miss Perks while the other is accused of inviting her to his room after a night of drinking in a breach of Sandhurst rules.
The SPA’s controversial decision to drop the case comes amid scrutiny over the Army’s alleged failures to protect personnel.
One source said: ‘Their behaviour amounted to a box-ticking exercise. While these officers put her on the [suicide risk] register, they were not sufficiently engaged with Miss Perks to realise how bad she was feeling.
‘Individually their failings fell short of the SPA’s threshold for disciplinary charges but collectively there was a major failure in welfare and provision of support. They all assumed she was somebody else’s responsibility.’
The Army will publish the conclusions of a service inquiry into Miss Perks’ death, which came just weeks before she was due to complete the gruelling officer cadets’ course, later this year.
Her parents may also challenge the SPA’s decision but were unavailable for comment last night.
An Army spokesman said the decision had been made following an ‘in-depth review of the evidence’.
For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit samaritans.org
Source: Read Full Article
