Army bosses ban cruel ‘beastings’ after the death of a squaddie and restrict the physical punishments

CRUEL Army “beastings” have been banned by chiefs after the death of a young squaddie.

Strict new rules now limit the physical punishments to ten press-ups and a 200m run.

And the exercises must last no longer than a minute, according to the Army’s AGAI67 disciplinary procedures document.

Even stricter rules apply at Infantry Training Centre Catterick in North Yorks.

Williams was marched around Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth, Wilts

Instructors have been told shouting in recruits’ faces is banned, as are out-of-hours inspections.

They must not swear at recruits, call them names or ban them from using mobile phones.

Beastings have been an unofficial means of disciplining troops for centuries.

But a coroner this year blasted “inhuman” punishment which led to the death of Royal Welsh Regiment Private Gavin Williams, 22.

He collapsed after being marched around Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth, Wilts, and put through a gruelling training session on one of the hottest days of 2006 following a drunken prank.

One soldier called the changes a “joke”. They said: “No one wants bullying in the ranks but recruit training is meant to be tough.”