THE family of a young Sussex soldier shot dead at the controversial Deepcut barracks will hear new evidence not presented at his first inquest 23 years ago.

Sean Benton from Hastings was 20 when he died from five gunshot wounds to the chest in 1995.

The army and Surrey police have always maintained he took his own life.

A second inquest, starting today in Woking, will hear months of new expert witness evidence and accounts from other soldiers of army bullying and sexual misconduct.

Sean’s sister, Tracy Lewis, said the family have always believed the first investigation into his death was rushed and fell short of giving them justice.

“My family suffered unforgivable failures by the military police, by the first coroner and by Surrey Police.

“My mum then had to fight for years and years to access basic information about Sean’s death so we could get the thorough inquest we should have had right at the start.

“If the Army, the first coroner and Surrey Police had done their jobs 23 years ago and helped us find the answers every grieving family seeks, we would all have been spared a huge amount of pain.”

Sean’s parents Linda and Harry Benton died without knowing their campaign for a new inquest had succeeded.

Tracy Lewis said: “It’s a relief after so many years to finally have the opportunity to find out what happened to my brother – but I am very sad and angry that both my parents and my younger brother died without learning the truth.”

The second inquest into his death was granted at the High Court in October 2016.

Private Benton was the first of four young soldiers to be shot dead at the camp between 1995 and 2002.

Sean Benton (20) died on 9 June 1995, Pte Cheryl James (18) died on 27 November 1995, Pte Geoff Gray (17) died on 17 September 2001 and Pte James Collinson (17) died on 23 March 2002.

A second inquest into the death of Cheryl James in 2016 concluded she had taken her own life.

Emma Norton, Head of Legal Casework at Liberty and solicitor for Sean’s family, said: “It should be a source of deep shame for the Ministry of

Defence and Surrey Police that they put so much energy into keeping the

most basic facts about Sean’s death behind closed doors for so long.

“The men and women who serve in the Armed Forces deserve the same

rights, care and support as the rest of us.

“This inquest isn’t just about finding out what happened to Sean – it’s about making sure the Army is held accountable and learns lessons, so young soldiers and their families are never put through this again.”

His Honour Judge Peter Rook QC will hear from Sean’s family on the first day of the inquest which is expected to last at least two months and feature around 150 witnesses.