Coroner in plea to MoD after soldier’s suicide

A coroner has called on the Ministry of Defence to review its care for vulnerable soldiers after ruling that bullying, the “lingering” mental effects of an alleged rape, “work-related despair” and a romantic break-up were all factors in the death of a soldier who committed suicide.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd Mar 2014, 22:29 BST

Nicholas Rheinberg concluded that Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement, 30, hanged herself at Bulford Barracks in Wiltshire, two years after she alleged that two soldiers raped her while she was stationed in Germany.

But Mr Rheinberg said that, although the care given to her in the aftermath of the allegation had been of “high quality”, the transfer of information when she returned to the UK had been “unforgivably bad”.

He said he would be recommending to the MoD that it review its Suicide Vulnerability Risk Assessment procedures.

He added: “I find as a fact that deliberate action was taken to make Anne-Marie’s final days in Germany uncomfortable and the actions and that deliberate action was harassment.”

Speaking outside court, Cpl Ellement’s sister, Sharon Hardy said: “The coroner has confirmed what we have always known – that Anne-Marie was treated appallingly and let down by the Army.”

Germany