After being found guilty of attacking two teenager soldiers, a British Army female instructor was demoted.
After a court martial Corporal Kimberley Hey, who was found to be hitting a 16-year old in the stomach during his first day of training, delivered another blow because he’d’smirked at’ her.
Witnesses allege that Cpl Hey told teenage trainees, who failed to answer questions in tests, to raise their arms before hitting them in their stomachs.
A 34-year old boxer, she was accused of giving regular punches as part of her training to soldiers who were half her age.
Judge Alistair McGrigor reduced her rank to Lance Corporal and said that her punches had been at a “low level” but she had abused her relationship with recruits. Her actions had the potential of ‘erode the public trust in the military forces training.
He said, “You were an extremely experienced instructor responsible for junior soldiers.” “You were a good instructor, but you took advantage of their interests.
It’s a very bad example to set young soldiers when they start their army careers. Such behavior had the potential of reducing public trust when it came to training young soldiers.
You have lost your rank due to such conduct.
Kimberly Hey was 34 when she was found guilty of attacking teenage soldiers.
Cpl Hey served 18 years in the Armed Forces and had never been charged. However, she claimed that her actions were only “mutual flicking”, which is part of her ‘bonding with the soldiers.
She was found guilty of the battery charges against Craftsman Joseph Wiggin, and Craftsman Jonathan Bryan during her three-day trial in Bulford Military Court.
The six additional charges of battery against her relating to three soldiers were dismissed. She also was accused of having punched recruits who failed in their tests.
Cpl. Hey of 3rd Regiment Royal Logistics Corps was part of the Directing Staff of Army Foundation College Harrogate in North Yorks.
AFC Harrogate is North Yorkshire’s training ground for junior soldiers. The sessions last approximately six weeks and are broken up into three terms.
Cpl Hey, court martial officer, told one trainee, “You are mine now, bitches” shortly after they arrived.
Hannah Harwood (Signaler) gave evidence by videolink from the Falkland islands. She spoke about multiple events on the ‘company line’, a straight line that runs down the corridor of the base, where recruits would be lined up.
She stated: “Cpl Hey addressed our platoon during the first term when we arrived.”
She stated something like, “You’re my now, bitches.”
“At the beginning of the second term, Cpl Hey addressed again the platoon. They were then asked, “Who says they’re the most difficult?”They are the hardest.
“Three people shook hands with Cpl Hey and punched them in the stomach.
Jonathan Bryan, Craftsman (pictured outside Court) stated that Cpl Hey punched him once in the stomach but she described him as “strict but fair”.
Craftsman Wiggin stated to the court that Cpl Hey punched “everyone” on the first day of training when he was only 16 years old.
Cfn Wiggin stated that the platoon was brought onto the line the first day after training.
“Our section was at the front and everyone got punched. It was not a malicious act, it was more of an inter-group bonding.
“My arms were in front of my back, and we felt at ease. It was all she said and did not give me any explanation. I had no idea that she would punch me.
I would have been sixteen at that point.
Bulford Military Court heard from Wiltshire that Cpl. Hey was an army instructor and dished out stomach punches.
Bryan Craftsman told the court, “Cpl Hey gave my stomach a jab on one occasion.”
“The entire platoon were there. At the moment, I was laughing and she pounded my stomach.
“I was slightly anticipating it, because she would make it as a joke to a few of her friends.
‘Cpl. Heck was a very good DS. She was both fair and firm. We were treated more as friends by her and she joked with us.
Judge Advocate McGrigor delivered the sentence. [Joseph]Wiggin, his first day in the army. He stood at attention with his platoon.
‘Later you punched Private [Jonathan]Bryan smirked at me. As you stated, the court denied that it was mutual flicking.
“We accept, however that these punches occurred at a very low level.”