A teenager seeking compensation from the Ministry of Defence has been awarded a £3,000 interim payment.

Maxwell Casson, 18, pictured, of Marsh Lane, Oxenhope, Keighley, claimed negligence and assault against the MoD after he suffered a double fracture of his right leg during a football match at an army camp.

At Bradford County Court Judge James Barry, who reserved his decision after a liability hearing in May, said he was satisfied it was an act of "gross negligence and recklessness". He awarded the payment but dismissed the assault claim.

Outside the court, Maxwell Casson said: "It's what I deserve. I was called a liar by a lot of people during the case but it's been proved that it was not me lying but the soldiers."

Judge Barry refused a request by the MoD's barrister Simon Davenport for an immediate appeal against the decision but one could still be lodged within 28 days.

Mr Casson's solicitor, Andrew Armstrong, would not say what final damages settlement his client was seeking, although it could be over £10,000.

Mr Casson's injury happened during a five-day course at Strensall barracks in York in February 1996. He told the liability hearing in May that Lance Corporal Dennis Hutchinson deliberately shoulder-barged him and fell on top of him during a football match believing Casson had made an offensive remark after an earlier tackle.

But L/Cpl Hutchinson said he and another player, a school pupil, went into the tackle together to get the ball from the South Craven School pupil.

Judge Barry said he found Mr Casson a sturdy and credible witness. He rejected the account of the tackle by L/Cpl Hutchinson's and two colleagues.

He said the soldier had behaved in a reckless and dangerous manner, although he hadnot intended to injure Mr Casson.

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