A SOLDIER who served in Windsor was overlooked for promotion and felt he had been bullied in the months before he hanged himself, a coroner heard today.
Lance Corporal Joel Robinson had been serving with The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, based at Combermere Barracks in Windsor, when he died on March 25, 2019.
He was confirmed dead at the scene and a file was prepared for the Berkshire Coroner Heidi Connor, who opened an inquest into LCpl Robinson's death in Reading today (November 9).
The coroner heard the 24-year-old felt he was constantly being 'overlooked' for a promotion.
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His mum Angela Robinson told senior Berkshire Coroner Heidi Connor, that her son felt "worthless and took it to heart" when he was told he wouldn't get promoted despite having glowing reports.
Joel Robinson was 'graded fifth in his squadron overall' and was 'often seen and judged as if he was a Corporal', but others were promoted over him.
Ms Robinson's barrister, Adam Payter, told the coroner: 'In messages, he described a number of occasions from 2017 onwards that his boss, Lance Corporate Joyce, was 'literally bullying' him."
The inquest was told he eventually decided to file a service complaint to the regiment about what he felt was bullying that targeted him.
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During the hearing, it was heard how LCpl Robinson repeatedly drafted service complaints about how seniors were bullying him, but was dissuaded from making them.
Mr Payter said: "There was a very definite threat that he would never be promoted if there was a service complaint made. He felt there was no other choice but to go ahead with the complaint because no one else was listening."
The inquest heard how Robinson had joined the army in 2010 and his mother thought it was a good place for him to have a career.
Angela Robinson, who is a retired mental health nurse, examined his room after his death and saw plenty of opportunities in his room to place a ligature.
Adding: "I don't think he meant to take his life that night. I think he did what he did in that public place because he wanted to be helped."
The inquest continues.
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