Former Somerset soldier was unlawfully killed, inquest concludes
43-year-old Stuart Coburn died in August 2016 whilst trying to diffuse a large improvised explosive device in Iraq
Last updated 9th Jun 2024
The inquest into the death of a former British soldier has concluded he was killed unlawfully as he was trying to diffuse a large improvised explosive device (IED) in Iraq.
43-year-old Stuart Coburn was killed doing his work as a contractor for an international mine clearance company - but his work to diffuse the bomb was something the senior coroner said he was not trained to do.
The explosion happened in Ramadi in August 2016 as the former Army sergeant major, who had served with the Royal Engineers for over 20 years, was attempting to neutralise the bomb which weighed in at over 100kg.
Somerset's Coroners Court was told the bomb was found inside a large skip and was made from five gas canisters, loaded with a radio control trigger, and a dead man's switch.
It was placed there by the so-called Islamic State - otherwise known as Isis - after being driven from the Ramadi area by Iraqi security forces earlier that year.
Despite the skip being cordoned off, as more people returned to their homes, it was was finally decided the device needed to be disabled after Isis withdrew from the area.
Stuart Coburn had been on tours to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Northern Ireland in his time with the Royal Engineers.
He also was very experienced in searching and identifying the large bombs - known as IEDs - however, he was not qualified in deactivating them.
Senior Coroner Samantha Marsh's conclusions
At the inquest, senior coroner Samantha Marsh said: "I am persuaded, on the evidence, that Stu could not have mistakenly believed himself to be qualified,
"He was fully aware that he did not have the required half a year of specialist training or any practical experience to be an IED operator."
Ms Marsh also said Stuart Coburn was not the direct target of the device, and there was no evidence of it being watched.
The IED blew up because of his interaction with it.
Ms Marsh said: "I am firmly of the opinion, when considering the thrust of the evidence as a whole, that on the balance of probabilities poor decisions were made that an experienced operator would not have made and have directly contributed to Stu's death,
"Put simply, Isis didn't care who they blew up - they wanted to cause mass destruction.
"I am satisfied that Stu did not possess the relevant high-level threat qualification.
"He could not act as anything but a number two searcher and most certainly could not act as a high threat operator.
"He was interacting with a device that was above his capabilities, qualifications and experience and this is highlighted by the poor decisions and actions taken that day."
When Mr Coburn left the army, he took on contract work, where he trained people to find IEDs.
He was then offered work in Iraq, with his contract lasting until March 2017.
Stuart Coburn's wife - Jenny - said she trusted him
Jenny Coburn, Mr Coburn's wife, told the inquest her husband would never have risked his life or anyone else's.
She said: "He promised me that if he didn't feel safe out there, he'd come back,
"His position there was a search team leader and he would be on site in an advisory role. He promised me he wouldn't be working on the devices himself but telling others what to do.
"I tended to believe him but in the back of my head I knew that if something had to be done, he'd do it.
"I know that he would not put himself at risk on purpose or anybody else.
"If something wasn't safe, he wouldn't send anyone - he would get more information first and get the right equipment in place.
"During this inquest there's been a lot of talk regarding Stu's qualifications.
"I couldn't honestly tell you what he did or did not have. What I can tell you is that Stu never put himself or others in unnecessary danger.
"He knew how high profile the contracts out in Iraq were and he knew the eyes of other humanitarian organisations would be watching them and how they performed.
"They were all out there to help the people of Iraq return to their homes and their lives and that is something that Stu felt very strongly about."
'Stu was our family's rock'
Speaking afterwards, Mrs Coburn said: "Stu was our family's rock. He always knew what to do and was an amazing husband and father.
"Life is incredibly hard without Stu in it, both for me and the children. It certainly has not been an easy journey for them, and they miss their dad terribly, but they are doing themselves, myself and their dad proud.
"It will forever be tough not having my husband by my side, especially as I watch the girls grow. However, we will continue to remember Stu and the impact he had on all of our lives."