Two members of the Domestic Cavalry intimidated a Northern Irishman colleague and racially abused him by calling him "Gerry Adams" was heard at a court martial.
Scottish policeman Declan Coutts and his colleague Maxwell Nicholls allegedly harassed their partner soldier Tpr Scott Alexander, with insults about the IRA and "car bombs" and comparing him to the former president of Sinn Fein, Adams.
They restrained him for strangulation and head locks, repeatedly soaked his bed with Water and stole her ironing board and boots, they told a panel.
(Image: Solent)
All three were roommates at Windsor Barracks, where they were apprentices in the regiment, traditionally responsible for protecting the Queen.
Tpr Alexander said he was feeling "demoralized" and pleaded with Coutts and Nicholls to stop, but said "it didn't make a difference, they thought it was fun."
He also said that when he called to ask them to return some belongings, Coutts and Nicholls, who were drunk in a pub, told him that they would do so if he called Private Azaan Aziz-Sheikh, who is Muslim, a "P with a black face." . *** ".
That night, Tpr Aziz-Sheikh was allegedly attacked by Nicholls at Wetherspoons in Windsor, Berkshire, and when they returned to Windsor's Combermere Barracks, Nicholls and Coutts punched and kicked him in the face, the panel heard.
The four soldiers were recruits from the Mounted Domestic Cavalry Regiment.
Eleanor Lucas, who was defending Nicholls, told the panel that the behavior was "harmless horseplay" and showed court photos of Tpr Alexander wearing a T-shirt with the word "terrorist."
Nicholls and Coutts deny nine charges among them related to the incidents between July and November 2020, including the racially aggravated assault on Tpr Alexander.
The trial continues at Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire.
Don't miss the latest Scottish crime and court news from the Daily Record. Sign up for our criminal record newsletterhere.
