A COUPLE are still battling for justice two years after their son died of a fatal overdose while he was serving in the Army.

Owen and Elaine Johnston, of Rockliffe Street, Blackburn, believe their son, Andrew, 19, was bullied by fellow soldiers and are still hoping to sue the Army.

The family have been collecting evidence and the Army has finally released details relating to their son's death after more than a year of pressure.

An inquest, held in Blackburn 18 months ago, heard how Andrew was badly beaten in a barracks in Tidworth, Wiltshire, six months before his death.

He was was serving with Queen's Lancashire Regiment was treated by an Army psychiatrist in the wake of the beating.

But Owen and Elaine say the Army has always denied responsibility, despite an investigation and the intervention of Home Secretary Jack Straw. They were devastated when the Army finally released the papers relating to their son's case.

Owen said: "We have been fighting for a long time to get access to these papers, but the Army are now saying there was no bullying. According to the evidence two soldiers beat Andrew up in self-defence and he was never bullied. "What is really upsetting is that there were factual errors in the psychiatric reports and details missing."

Despite the latest setback, the Johnstons are determined to carry on with their fight.

Elaine Owen said: "We have a solicitor looking into all aspects of this case for us and we are determined to carry on. It has been two years since Andrew's death and the Army have still not given us any answers, they are now claiming that there was no bullying. I am positive there is a whitewash going on because any complaints from soldiers never get past the corporals. The officers prefer to have a quiet life and hope the problem will go away."

An Army spokesman said: "It is difficult to comment on individual cases without knowing the full details of the case. However, the Army does not tolerate bullying in any shape or form."

The Army set up a helpline for bullying victims last year following a series of high profile cases. Anyone needing information should ring 0800 731 4880.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.