A young marine recruit has been badly beaten and subjected to “disgusting” acts in an initiation ceremony at RM Condor, it has been alleged.
The 20-year-old, who was on an induction/training programme at 45 Commando, was alleged to have been severely assaulted by colleagues, forced to eat human excrement and drink urine before being beaten about the body with footwear, according to a source close to the Arbroath base.
His attackers were disguised to conceal their identities, the source said.
The young recruit was so traumatised he walked into Arbroath police station last Wednesday and reported the matter and it has since been taken up by the Ministry of Defence Police.
The source told The Courier, “This guy has been put through a terrible time. He was on a 32-week training course and he was attacked by a few of his colleagues.
“They wore masks so he wouldn’t recognise them but I’m told he is able to identify one of them and has told the police who he is.
“He went to Tayside Police because he thought if he just reported it to the MoD it would be swept under the carpet.”
The source said the recruit was hit with shoes, although somebody else claimed it was slippers.
“My understanding is he was badly bruised and the police have taken photographs of his injuries and taken statements, so it’s all on record,” the source added.
“The MoD won’t be able to keep this quiet.”
A spokesman for Tayside Police said, “We can confirm that a 20-year-old man attended at Arbroath police station at about 9.20pm on Wednesday, June 23, and made a complaint, which was subsequently referred to the MoD.”
A MoD police spokesman confirmed the matter had been passed to them and stressed that it was civilian police officers, who operate outside the military chain of command, who will be dealing with the complaint.
Arbroath West and Letham councillor David Fairweather, who has recently played the role of peacemaker between the marines and the local community, said he was “extremely surprised” to hear of the allegations.
However, he added, “If this has happened then it’s an absolute disgrace. Just last year I was down at one of their training camps and the camaraderie among them was tremendous. That’s why I am very surprised if it has happened.
“But if a young person has gone in there and made a complaint, I would never suggest that he’s not telling the truth.
“I just hope this isn’t a case of the bad old days of these things happening. I know that (Commanding Officer) Lieutenant Colonel Lee will not tolerate anything like that at all.
“Until I find out the nature of these allegations I can’t really say any more.”