OTC officers fired by Army after student reports cocaine abuse

Officers at the University of Sheffield’s Officers Training Corps (OTC) who were found snorting cocaine in the toilets of a Sheffield barracks were fined and sacked by the Army last week.

Captain James Fulton, 28, admitting to possessing and supplying the Class A drug to Captain Daniel Chamings during a Burns Night party at Somme Barracks on West Street in January.

Fulton, of Eccleshall, Sheffield, was handed a £4,000 fine at a court martial, while 27-year-old Chamings was fined £3,000. They were also the most senior officers to ever be dismissed for drug offences.

The two officers involved were leaders and mentors to students from both of Sheffield’s universities.

Territorial Army officer Chamings was arrested by the Royal Military Police along with Fulton following a tip-off from a student officer cadet.

The court martial at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, heard how the cadet had heard laughter coming from one of the toilet cubicles and looked over the top to see the officers cutting up white powder on the toilet cistern.

After seeing the young cadet, the court heard that Fulton, with a banknote rolled up behind his ear, said to Chamings: "It’s okay, he will be alright".

But the officer cadet was said to be left "shocked and angry" by the incident and hours later the pair were arrested by military police.

A year ago Fulton was lauded as a hero after leading a raid in Iraq which uncovered a massive collection of explosives near an insurgency base in Basra.

Dr. Roy Millington, Chairman of Sheffield Military Education Committee, said: "The drug incident arising during the Burns Night celebration was brought to my attention immediately.

"The military police were called in and the two offending officers, who were not students, were placed under military arrest.

"The student’s action and attitude in this situation was impeccable and I would like to congratulate them for their vigilance and integrity.

"We feel that the whole incident was handled sensitively and efficiently by the Ministry of Defence."

University Officer Training Corps were first established in UK universities in 1908 by the then War Office (now Ministry of Defence).

Students becoming officer cadets are subject to military discipline and Queen’s Regulations when attending drill nights, weekend camps and related activities.

Where ever there is an OTC, the universities from which students are recruited are required to set up a Military Education Committee.

Its purpose is to moderate and ensure that there is a proper balance between academic work and military studies.

It also has to advise and recommend on any action or activity which may be prejudicial to the constituent universities.

Michael Hunter