Soldier forced to quit the Army after being blinded in ‘brutal’ initiation prank plans to sue the MoD for compensation
20-year-old Oliver Scudder is suing the Ministry of Defence after his career ended just NINE days after signing up
A SQUADDIE was forced to quit the Army after being blinded in a brutal initiation ceremony with his new unit.
Oliver Scudder, 20, was pressured to run down a corridor lined by fellow soldiers as they rained down punches and kicks.
He tripped, and took a boot to his right eye which left a hole resulting in 90 per cent vision loss, and a medical discharge from the Royal Anglian Regiment.
He has instructed lawyers Irwin Mitchell to sue the MoD for compensation. Oliver, who had dreamed of joining the Army since he was 12, said: “I felt really pressured into doing it.
“There were corporals and lance corporals there, they were egging this on.
“I was getting hit and punched and kicked from both sides, then while on the floor I looked up and saw who it was, and they kicked me in the face.”
Under a misguided sense of loyalty, he waited before going to the doctors.
Tests revealed a hole in the back of his eyeball that had scarred and could not be operated on.
Oliver’s career was ended just nine days after he joined the regiment at Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore, Rutland.
The MoD admitted liability but told him no soldiers will face criminal prosecution due to insufficient evidence.
Oliver, of Lincoln, said: “It’s a whitewash. I’m livid. I didn’t think the whole bullying thing was still about.
“I thought he military had changed when I got there – I thought we were all on the same side.
“The Army is all I ever wanted. I joined as soon as I could and wanted to fulfil my 22 years’ service.
“Instead I’ve been left with a sliver of peripheral vision in my right eye and no career in front of me.
“I’m angry that the military can let these guys get away with it when I have lost everything.
“There must be others like me, for whom the military was their life, who have been injured in similar circumstances. It must end.”
Irwin Mitchell is arguing the MoD failed in its duty of care towards him.
They want financial support for Oliver as he faces life with sight loss.
An Army source said initiation ceremonies were a form of bullying and anyone involved will be dealt with.