'Intelligence lessons to be learned' from Afghanistan soldier's death - Coroner

Coroner Rob Turnbull told the inquest at Richmond Town Hall, North Yorkshire, that information concerning the compound in which Serjeant Phillip Scott, 30, from Malton, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was killed by an explosion may have been of assistance before his platoon entered it.

Sjt Scott was killed by an improvised explosive device near Sangin in Helmand Province on November 5 last year. He left behind his widow, Ellen, who was present at the inquest, and young children, Ellie and Michael. His parents, Mike Scott and Diane Carr, were also at Richmond Town Hall on Tuesday.

On the day of his death, Sjt Scott was acting as Section Commander of section two of his platoon, which had split into three parts, with orders to find and identify suitable compounds for future use.

It was in one of these compounds, which had been swept by four metal detectors, that the explosion happened. It later emerged that members of 2 Rifles had been in the area on a previous occasion and had experienced a similar incident but the information had not been circulated.

Mr Turnbull's comments came in response to evidence heard from Serjeant Lee Slater, Section Commander, Recce Platoon, 3rd Battalion The Rifles, who was asked by Sjt Scott's father if he had been concerned by blood stains inside the compound and a tail fin from a mortar.

Sjt Slater told the hearing: "I did not see the blood on the walls. There was a field dressing wrapper - it's like a crisp wrapper - but there was no evidence that someone had been hurt in there."

Captain Toby Hood, Recce 2 Commander, 3rd Battalion The Rifles, told the inquest that they were not unduly worried by their findings as there were often frequent discoveries of the "detritus of war".

Recording a verdict of unlawful killing, Mr Turnbull said he was satisfied that the operation was "well run, well led and well equipped" and that all the troops involved could not have acted more properly. He added: "I do, however, note the fact that there was within the compound certain items - a field dressing, part of a tail fin from a mortar - which may have been, and I emphasis may have been, a cause for concern."

He also agreed to a request from Mr Scott to put a letter together regarding the necessity of information sharing. Mr Turnbull added: "There may be lessons to be learned, sadly too late for Serjeant Scott, but for other people in future."