SIX SOLDIERS CHARGED WITH GANG-RAPE IN ALDERSHOT
SIX soldiers were yesterday charged with the gang-rape of a woman.The group attack is alleged to have taken place in the garrison town of Aldershot, Hants.
Cameron Williams, 30, Darren Smith, 22, David Cross, 24, Michael Nicol, 22, and Gary Bailey, 20 have all been charged with rape and a sixth unnamed soldier with aiding and abetting rape.
They will appear together before magistrates on May 7.
The first four men are based at Browning Barracks in Aldershot, while Bailey is based at Catterick Barracks in North Yorkshire.
One is from 2 Regiment of the Army Air Corps and five are from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Hampshire Police said yesterday: "Six men have been charged with rape at Aldershot following an allegation of multiple rape by a local woman.
"All are serving personnel in the Armed Forces." "A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "We are aware of the arrests and that a police investigation is ongoing.
The Army will co-operate fully with the police investigation." The arrests come as it was revealed that six other officers who were suspended by the army for their part in a drunken orgy are still receiving full pay more than a year later.
One of the officers has even got a civilian job while he waits to hear if he has a future in the Army.
The four officers and two officer cadets - were cleared of gang-raping a 24-year-old woman in 1997 but were suspended after their behaviour raised grave concerns about Army behaviour.
Captain Ian Barlow, Captain Philip Bates, Captain Darren Bartlett, Lt Matthew Tupling and cadets Nicholas Orttinger and Andrew Stout are also with the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Three British soldiers are serving life in Cyprus for the murder and conspiracy to rape of Danish tour guide Lousie Jensen.
Jeff Pernell, Allan Ford and Justin Fowler were convicted three years ago.
The three soldiers, who were serving in Cyprus with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Green jackets were discharged from the army after their convictions.
