A POLICE investigation into allegations that a North-East sergeant major bullied recruits at controversial Deepcut barracks has been dropped.

Sergeant Major Andrew Gavaghan, who has since left the Army, was accused by BBC TV's Panorama programme of picking on recruits when he was a sergeant at the Surrey base.

Mr Gavaghan refuted the claims at the time and said his conscience was clear.

The programme - Bullied to Death - was aired in the light of the deaths of four soldiers who died from gunshot wounds at the base, including Private Geoff Gray, of Seaham, County Durham.

A spokeswoman for Surrey Police, who investigated the deaths, said last night no proceedings would go ahead against Mr Gavaghan, who is in his early forties.

She said: "Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, there are no plans to proceed with any prosecution at this time."

Mr Gavaghan is a former Army welfare officer at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, who has set up a business, Aim 4 Solutions, in the region.

He works from his home at Albermarle Drive, Hipswell, Catterick Garrison, as a counsellor and life coach.

Last September, The Northern Echo revealed Mr Gavaghan had left the Army last summer after completing 22 years' service.

An Army spokeswoman said no disciplinary case had been held against him.

Surrey Police's 15-month investigation into the deaths at the barracks ended in September, concluding there was no third party involvement. At the time, officers said they were still investigating the allegations levelled against Mr Gavaghan and he had been interviewed under caution but not charged with any offence.

In a statement issued through his solicitors following the programme he said: "A picture has been painted of me that is completely at odds with the truth.

"I am proud that I hold an excellent record after 22 years in the Army, during which time it has been shown that I have always adopted a caring and professional attitude in my dealings with soldiers."

The former sergeant major was a member of Durham County Council's Gilesgate Special Projects Team, working with disabled and able-bodied young people.

Mr Gavaghan could not be contacted by The Northern Echo last night.