Sandhurst Army cadet found hanged after tryst with sergeant ‘had tried to take her life before but was deemed low risk’
A YOUNG Army cadet found hanged at Sandhurst after a relationship with a sergeant had tried to take her life before but was deemed low risk, an inquest heard.
Olivia Perks, 21, was discovered in her bedroom at the elite military training school in Berkshire on February 6, 2019.
An inquest heard how the cadet had been in a secret relationship with a staff sergeant who worked in the academy’s gym.
Sandhurst, which was attended by Prince William and Prince Harry, forbids personal relationships with officer cadets.
Olivia had made a suicide attempt at a Royal Engineers visit in July 2018 but was deemed low risk and instead given a “dressing down”.
She had spoken of wanting to kill herself by various methods with one soldier so concerned she began recording Olivia as she thought “it was so outlandish that people won’t actually believe it”.
This followed one of three occasions where her behaviour had become erratic while drunk.
The court was told following the two other episodes, she was not referred for medical help after there was a “complete breakdown in welfare support”.
During a trip to Normandy in November 2018, Olivia was said to have inappropriately put her hand on the arm of a colour sergeant.
And in February 2019, she “trashed” her room and was hitting her head against a bed frame on the night of the Falklands Ball.
She had spent the night in a colour sergeant’s room and missed a parade but neither of them said they engaged in sexual activity.
Despite this, he was dismissed from Sandhurst – with the inquest hearing Olivia was just one of several people that night who did things that could have led to disciplinary action.
When asked if she believed she would be dismissed for being in the colour sergeant’s room, Colonel Robert Manuel, president of the service enquiry into her death, replied: “Yes, that’s my understanding.
“All Ms Perks had actually done was spend the night in an out of bounds area and missed a parade.”
Pointing to the celling of the courtroom he said the seriousness with which he treated the incident was “up here” when in reality it was less serious and would not have resulted in dismissal.
The inquest also heard touching tributes from her parents, who said Olivia showed “fearless determination” to succeed in life.
Mum Louise Townsend said: “Liv was the most wonderful, vivacious and captivating girl.”
She told how she “watched with great pride” when her daughter attended Sandhurst in 2018 after achieving her dream of joining the Army.
Louise added: “People spoke of her as that stand-out figure who was so motivated and driven to succeed.
“She was known for her smile and her wicked sense of humour.
“She was full of energy and enthusiasm, always willing to take on any adventure, and as a friend she was compassionate and kind. She was always ready to help and support others.
“She had that natural ability to be at ease with everyone, no matter their age or gender, and treated everyone equally.
“The enormity of losing her remains palpable, not only within her family but also her massive circle of friends.
“We are incredibly proud of our remarkable girl and everything she achieved in her life, a life which ended prematurely before she was able to reach her full potential.”
The inquest continues.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
