Household Cavalry corporal, 45, 'slapped teen's bottom on night out'

The 28-year Army career of a Household Cavalry member came to a 'sadly discreditable' end after he slapped the bottom of a teenage recruit on a drink-fuelled night out, a court martial heard.

Experienced Corporal of Horse Steven Henderson's behaviour in twice smacking the 19-year-old female twice after joining in with young trainees' 'partying' was 'outrageous', a judge said.

'An experienced, senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) can't expect to lay hands on young female recruits in this way and have people be anything other than outraged,' Assistant Judge Advocate General John Atwill said.

It was 'a sadly discreditable end to your creditable career', he added.

Cpl Henderson - who is leaving the Army at the end of the month - pleaded guilty to one charge of disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire.