Women cleared in Army pension case

TWO women accused of fraudulently claiming the pension of a soldier killed in Afghanistan have had charges against them dropped.

Janine Fearick, 21, of Violet Hill, Mansfield, denied obtaining £63,000 in pension payments by deception after the death of her boyfriend, Private Andrew Cutts - the first Notts soldier to be killed in Afghanistan.

Her mother, Jeannie Fearick, 44, of Jennison Street, Mansfield, also denied the charges.

Prosecutors offered no evidence in the case at Nottingham Crown Court today and a not guilty verdict was recorded by the judge.

Judge Michael Stokes QC told them they were both free to go "without any stain on their character".

He said: "I'm simply going to say this - Private Cutts undoubtedly gave his life carrying out his duty to his country and, in my judgement, it's a tragedy that this prosecution was ever started.

"It should never have been commenced in my judgement on the evidence I have seen and you are both owed an apology by someone."

Both women wiped away tears as the judge made his ruling.

Supporters in the public gallery cheered quietly.

Private Cutts, 19, of Blidworth, was shot in Musa Qal'eh, Helmand province, on August 6, 2006.

It was believed he had been killed by the Taliban but at his inquest it emerged he may have been accidentally shot by a colleague.

Prosecutors alleged that Janine Fearick did not meet the criteria a serviceman's partner needs to satisfy to qualify for a payout after his death.

But she said the pair intended to marry and she had been encouraged to make the claim by the Army.

Janine Fearick led hundreds of mourners alongside Private Cutts' family at his funeral in Blidworth.

At the time, she said: "He was the life and soul. He was loving, reliable and caring.

"He was always there for people and his family and we are so proud of him."