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A soldier accused of a horrific glass attack on a comrade could be tried for attempted murder.
Sydney Cole, 20, will face a Spanish court and a possible 10-year jail sentence, despite being allowed to remain on duty by the Army after a raid on a Mallorca club.
Corporal Lance Sarah Ann Garrity lost four liters of blood when her throat was slit, leaving her in intensive care.
And his life was only saved because a quick-thinking rugby player stopped the flow of blood gushing from his neck.
Today, Sarah’s family recounts how they refused to press charges against their former friend Cole.
But the 23-year-old was shocked when her friend from the Royal Logistics Corps did not apologize and was enraged that the Army allowed Private Cole to remain at the same base for 11 months later.
(Image: SOLARPIX.COM)
“She was even expected to parade with her,” said a family member. “We are not happy. It is as if the Army wants to pass it under the rug.”
The alleged attack at an all-you-can-drink foam party came after a 14-hour binge in the party capital during a leave of absence in April last year.
The couple shared a hotel room with another female soldier and drank all day before the incident at the Bananas Club.
Cole was arrested and held in pre-trial detention for two days before being released to return home.
Sarah needed 14 stitches to her neck after the fight. Her lung had collapsed and only the quick actions of the rugby player saved her.
A source said: “Sarah told the police not to charge Cole because she did not want to see a girl beaten in a jail abroad.
“She expected him to be full of regrets, but she didn’t even get an apology. When he returned to work three months later, Cole was still at the base.
“Sarah asked the bosses if they could transfer Cole, but they told her to go ahead. Now she feels betrayed. “
Cole only left the Fort George barracks, near Inverness, when he was given an army home after having a baby.
It is now understood that a Spanish investigating judge has ruled that she should be tried for attempted murder, which is normally punishable by a prison sentence of 10 to 15 years.
A legal source said: “The next step would be for Cole to be questioned under oath.”
You may have to give a new police video statement due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, and be called back to Spain to face trial.
The Army is believed to have taken “administrative action” against Cole, which may include a verbal warning.
You could still take more action once the civil investigation is complete.
(Image: solarpix.com)
The military has long come under fire for drinking problems. Last month, figures showed that one in every 200 soldiers was listed as an alcohol abuser.
Experts blame boredom and lack of action. The UK’s armed forces are three times more likely to drink heavily than the general public, figures from the Defense Ministry revealed.
A member of the Sarah’s family in Irvine, Ayrshire, said: “We don’t think the military took care of our girl.
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“She was off work for three months and in all that time only one officer came to see her. Cole has tried to make it look like she and Sarah were best friends, but that’s not true.”
An army spokesman said: “An investigation is underway following an incident with a British soldier in Spain last year.
“We take our duty to care for staff very seriously. It would be inappropriate to comment further.”
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