'Inconsistent' adherence to safety procedures led to the death of a soldier who died when his rifle unexpectedly went off, an inquest concluded today.

Lance Corporal Joe Spencer, 24, was undertaking a sniper training course in the Scottish Highlands when he shot himself with his own firearm, moments after a colleague 'bumped into him' at a shooting range.

The Afghanistan war veteran was instantly killed as a bullet from the gun, which could fire up to a range of 1km, entered his chin and came out the top of his head.

Today a two-week jury inquest into LCpl Spencer's tragic death concluded at Winchester Coroner's Court, Hants and confirmed that safety management on range was not entirely adhered to.

The jury were unable to explain how LCpl Spencer's gun went off, and gave a narrative conclusion.

The foreperson said: 'Joe William Spencer died on the 1st of November 2016 at Tain Air Weapons Range, Scotland.

'Inconsistent range management and adherence to safety procedures contributed to the omission of a full unload drill after detail one.'

A 'full unload drill after detail one' was a phase of the safety procedure that was meant to be adhered to.

The foreperson continued: 'A live round remained chambered in Joe's rifle. These events led to the unintentional discharge of his weapon.

'How his gun went off in the ISO could not be ascertained.'

The ISO was the type of container that LCpl Spencer was in at the time.

Coroner Jason Pegg said: 'Mr and Mrs Spencer, to the two of you, to Joe's brother and the wider family and his partner you have my genuine and sincere condolences for your loss.

'This has been I know a very long and difficult process for you and I know that there had been a previous court hearing in Scotland.

'During this inquest I have learned about Joe, the young man that he was.

'It is quite evident that he was a much-loved son and partner.

'It is strikingly apparent to me that Joe's colleagues from his battalion and other battalions have amazing words about him.

'He was clearly a guarded, competent and capable soldier.

'He had served his country in Afghanistan and suffered injuries but wanted to remain in his chosen career.

'I am sure that you are proud of Joe and rightly so. You have my genuine best wishes going forward.'

LCpl Spencer, from Bishopstoke, Hants, was killed on November 1 2016, while he was undergoing a two-month-long sniper training in Tain in the Scottish Highlands.

A previous inquiry at Tain Sheriff Court was held into his death - with a report published in January 2025.

The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head.

The cause of the accident, which killed him instantly, was confirmed as the 'undemanded discharge of a single round from an L115A3 sniper rifle'.

The gun is a specialist sniper rifle used by the British Army.

LCpl Spencer joined the army in February 2011 and was promoted to Lance Corporal in 2015.

He had carried out basic training at Catterick, Yorks, in 2011 and finished top of his class and awarded a ceremonial rifle.

He was a member of the 3rd Battalion The Rifles and had previously been seriously injured by a grenade whilst serving in Afghanistan.

He had bought a house with his partner, Cherycce Connelly, in July 2016.

LCpl's parents, partner and one of his brothers were present at the inquest.

During the inquest, it was heard that Private Christopher Leveridge was left 'white and shaking' after 'bumping into' LCpl Spencer.

Range Supervisor Colour Sergeant Gordon Smart told the inquest that Pte Leveridge was noticeably 'shocked' and that he tried to reassure him.

CSgt Smart said: 'I heard a commotion and one of the men shouted 'Man Down'.

'I went straight to the ISO container and saw Joe's body lying on the floor. There were rifles in the container and there was a weapon underneath him.

'Due to confusion the RCO (range commanding officer) didn't know what happened and the rifles were taken out of the container (except for Joe's rifle). People were still trying to figure out what happened.

'At that time everyone came out of the ISO and one (person) - Pte Leveridge - came out and said it was my fault.

'He said he bumped into him and it went off.

'He was white and shaking. Just shocked. I told him it wasn't his fault. I told them to get out of the ISO so they were separated.

'I started but didn't finish recovering the rifle from beneath Joe. I noticed that the rifle beneath Joe did not have a magazine in it.'

Sergeant Kieran Blair was in the ISO container when the gun, which killed LCpl Spencer, went off.

He said: 'We were all freezing. We were just shivering and complaining. He was probably about one or one and half metres away from me.

'We were just as a group chatting and then there was a big bang and a big explosion.

'There was a sudden bang and a bright flash. I ran out of the ISO container and everyone was shouting 'Stop, Stop'.

'Someone shouted for a medic. I remember going back almost immediately after. I went back because two of my guys were still in there. I used a light on my phone to light up the ISO.

'After it happened I pretty much went straight into a state of shock.

'I remember him holding his gun facing up with two hands. The barrel was facing up but I cannot remember the exact orientation.

'The container was dark with only an element of ambient light coming through the front door.'

A post-mortem, carried out by Dr Gavin Laing , found that LCpl Spencer's face had been 'distorted' and there were powder burns on the skin.

It was confirmed that the bullet had gone in the middle of his chin and left through the top of his head.