Anne-Marie Ellement death: Sister 'was let down at every turn by Army'

A woman soldier who hanged herself in her barracks had allegedly been raped by two Army colleagues, her family said.

Corporal Anne-Marie Ellement was the alleged victim of a drunken sex attack by two serving soldiers in her unit when they were posted together in Germany.

Because the 30-year-old Royal Military Policewoman had been drinking and could not recall the events of the night – except knowing that she never consented to sex – the two men were never charged.

As a result, Ms Ellement’s family claim she was branded a liar and accused of making up the allegation.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Wednesday, May 22 2013

The attack left the young woman a shadow of her former self, her family said.

“Anne-Marie knew right from wrong and would never try to destroy another person’s career,” said her sister Sharon Hardy.

“She tried so hard for years to accomplish her dream of joining the Army that there is no way she would jeopardise her career by lying about two soldiers in her unit.

“In my opinion, Anne-Marie never recovered from being raped. I do not believe she was given any follow up support or counselling from her unit either.

"I think what caused her the most upset was the fact two men had taken advantage of her whilst she was intoxicated and no one believed her. Her friends in the Army had turned on her because they thought she was making it up.”

As reported in the Western Daily Press, an inquest into Ms Ellement’s death heard that she was struggling to cope with working an 80-hour week when she was found hanged in her barracks.

She told friends and family that she was called in on duty on her weekends off and even when she was signed off on sick leave with stress.

Ms Ellement served in Northern Ireland and Germany before being posted to Bulford Camp near Salisbury after making the allegation of rape. She served with 158 Provost Company and was described as a “competent” investigator who was finding her role as shift commander a “challenge”.

Her sister Sharon added: “My sister joined the Royal Military Police five years ago, a confident, happy young lady with hopes and dreams for the future.

“I believe Anne-Marie was let down by every Royal Military Police unit she was posted to – even on her last compassionate posting to Kiwi Barracks in Bulford.

“She was never diagnosed with suffering from depression prior to joining the Army or been prescribed ant-depressants.

“I would like to make it clear my family and myself have complete admiration and respect for the armed forces, however the Royal Military Police – whose motto is “by example we lead” – have failed in their duty of care to my sister. I expect the people responsible to be held to account for their actions.”