A SANDHURST sergeant had an affair with an officer cadet before she hanged herself in her bedroom, it has been reported.

       Olivia Perks, 21, was also allegedly involved with a colour sergeant at the military academy before her death in February 2019.

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       Olivia Perks was found hanged at Sandhurst Credit: Facebook

       Both him and the staff sergeant have now been named as "interested parties" in her inquest after being investigated by top brass, the Daily Mail reports.

       Olivia is understood to have been a known suicide risk when the men embarked on affairs with her at the academy.

       Sandhurst, which was attended by Prince William and Prince Harry, forbids personal relationships with officer cadets.

       Olivia reportedly spent the night with the colour sergeant after he invited her to his bedroom following a drinking session.

       She left his room the next morning still wearing a ball gown from the previous night's formal event and had to walk past her colleagues.

       A Sandhurst source told the newspaper: "Everyone else standing to attention and there was Olivia crossing the parade ground in front of her fellow cadets and the instructors. She told people afterwards how horrible it was.

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       "Olivia was in trouble for missing the parade but the commanders were much more angry with the colour sergeant.

       "It was very stressful, particularly as she was convinced she was going to be dismissed from Sandhurst, which wasn’t the case."

       After the alleged incident, Olivia was challenged by the staff sergeant accused of having an affair with her.

       He has since admitted kissing the officer cadet but their relationship was reportedly more serious and they spent weekends together.

       Just days later, Olivia was discovered hanged in her bedroom by her company sergeant major.

       She had been on the academy's "suicide vulnerability risk matrix" at the time of the tragedy.

       YOU'RE NOT ALONE

       EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

       It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.

       It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.

       Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.

       That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.

       The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.

       Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others... You're Not Alone.

       If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

       CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858 Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393 Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41 Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123

       The colour sergeant has been demoted and removed from Sandhurst, with the staff sergeant also facing disciplinary action.

       Both men, who are said to be significantly older than Olivia, have now been named as interested parties ahead of an inquest into her death in May next year.

       Questions have already been raised over why Olivia was not closely monitored considering she was on the suicide matrix.

       The details of the tragedy already form part of a report by the Army set to be released this year, it is claimed.

       The Ministry of Defence said the Service Prosecuting Authority was considering charges against Sandhurst staff for failing to carry out their duties to protect Olivia.

       An Army spokesman said: "A Royal Military Police investigation has concluded and the matter has been referred to the Service Prosecution Authority.

       "It would be inappropriate to comment further."

       If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.

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       The tragedy took place at Sandhurst Credit: Alamy