A LANCE Corporal in charge of escorting Gavin Williams to his superior officers on the day he died has told an inquest that it was common knowledge 'beasting' punishments were taking place throughout the army.

Giving evidence this morning at Salisbury Coroner's Court, Craig Silcox who was a lance corporal at Lucknow Barracks in Tidworth at the time of Pte William's death on July 3, 2006, said the intense training sessions continued to be used at the time despite new military disciplinary procedures ending the type of punishment.

Pte Williams, 22, from Caerphilly, died at Salisbury District Hospital on July 3, after undergoing a session of fast drills and physical training on one of the hottest days of the year.

L.Cpl Silcox, said Pte Williams was "shaking" and that he looked like he had a "bit of a hang over" when he walked into the young private's room that morning, having been tasked with taking him to Warrant Officer Clark, his platoon's then second in command.

Following the meeting with WO Clark, L.Cpl Silcox took Pte Williams back to his room for him to change into his uniform and then took him to the guard room to the Provost Sergeant.

Speaking to L.Cpl Silcox, coroner Alan Large said: "After AGAI 67 (Army General Administrative Instruction 67) came into place in early 2005, was it permissible, as far you were concerned as Lance Corporal, to give people the type of marching or exercise that you have described?

L.Cpl Silcox who is now an army reservist having left the army in 2013, replied: "No sir, AGAI 67 took most of that out of it.

Mr Large said: "From your experience, post AGAI 67, were you aware of that unofficial type of exercise going on?"

L.Cpl Silcox: "Yes."

Mr Large: "Would it be a fair summary that in your view AGAI 67 wasn't implemented fully so that some of the old practices lingered on?"

L.Cpl Silcox said: "Yes, the correctional PT would be for reoffenders that keep on doing the same stuff over and over again."

Mr Large: "So those that were in trouble regularly were more likely to get the physical side of things, even after AGAI officially should have stopped that?"

L.Cpl Silcox said: "Yes sir."

The inquest heard that during the gym session Pte Williams had complained of a stomach ache and said that he was unable to continue.

In a written statement, Physical Training Instructor (PTI) Gregory Thomas, who was in the gym at the time of the session said: "At around 11.50am, I became aware of Provost Sergeant Price outside marching someone to the gym, he spoke to Staff Sergeant Blake and asked if we could have the person with him for a while.

"SSgt Blake asked what he had done and he was told he had been AWOL and sprayed a fire extinguisher at officers on Saturday night.

"I recall SSgt Blake asking what had happened and the lad saying he couldn't remember, he was p****d but was in trouble.

"I recall the lad asking SSgt Blake for a drink and he got himself a glass of water.

"He was told to put on the boxing gloves and strike the punchbag ten times, then to do ten squat thrusts - when he had finished this, he complained of stomach ache and said he couldn't do it.

"SSgt Blake then said 'well, so you don't scrunch your stomach, hit the bag ten times and then do ten standing thrusts', I can't remember if he completed these but he again complained of stomach pains and said he couldn't do what was being asked.

"SSgt Blake told him to get a glass of water and to sort himself out, he did this and he again complained of a stomach ache so SSgt Blake said he would take him to the medical centre.

"I saw them both walk to the door and the lad was given a five kilo power bag used by those in the gym - he was given this by SSgt Blake. This is often done with people who have been AWOL so they can't run off so easily, if they do want to run, they have to drop the bag and it gives us time to get hold of them before going AWOL again. I didn't see them anymore."

PTI Thomas said Pte Williams had been wearing combat boots, combat trousers and a combat shirt. He said he had looked ok and did not seem to be suffering from the "obvious signs of dehydration".

He said: "The only thing I did notice was when he got the glass of water, his hand was shaking and he spilt the water, because of this SSgt Blake said he would take him to the medical centre to get him checked over.

"He had done very little exercise in the gym and was allowed water at his request."

The inquest continues.