Soldier Sydney Cole, 20, to face trial in Spain for slashing army pal’s throat on their Magaluf holiday

British Soldier Sydney Cole, 20, (right) is to face trial in Spain accused of slashing her army pal Sarah Ann Garitty’s throat (left) with a broken bottle during a 14-hour booze bender on holiday in Magaluf.

Cole could end up spending 10 years in prison if she is found guilty of the attack on Sarah Ann Garitty, 23, an army lance corporal.

Sydney Cole (left) with lance corporal Sarah Ann Garitty (right)

Young mum Cole will have to face a Spanish trial despite Sarah, from Ayreshire, Scotland, telling the court she didn’t want to press charges against her friend. Sarah had been trying to break up a dispute between Cole and another female soldier, Deborah Ferguson, when she was slashed. All three had been sharing a hotel room during a holiday in Magaluf.

Sarah Ann Garitty, 23, (left) an army lance corporal whose throat was slashed with a broken bottle by her army pal Sydney Cole (right)

Cole was originally freed from jail and told she could return to the UK but an investigating magistrate has now ruled there was enough evidence that she committed a crime for a trial to take place.

Sarah Ann Garrity (centre) with Sydney Cole (right) and Deborah Ferguson (left) during a trip to Winter Wonderland in December 2018 before the attack

Sarah Ann Garrity was discharged from hospital in Palma after more than 24 hours in intensive care and after spending three days on a general ward. She lost four pints of blood when her throat was slashed at an all-you-can-drink foam party in April 2019. Her lung collapsed after the incident at Bananas Club and she only survived after a rugby player raced to stop the blood gushing from her wounded neck.

Sarah Ann Garitty

Cole was not suspended from the army after the incident and it is understood that “administrative action” was taken instead. The pair continued to work together and ended up standing on parade with one another afterwards.

Sydney Cole

A member of Sarah’s family, who asked not to be named, told the Daily Record: “We don’t feel the Army has looked after our girl in the way they should have. When she got back to the base, she was expected to stand on parade with Cole. She was off work for three months and just one officer came out to see her. We are not happy.”

Sarah Ann Garitty

The Army, who confirmed an investigation “is ongoing following an incident with a British soldier in Spain last year,” responded with the following statement:“We take our duty of care to personnel very seriously and a dedicated welfare officer is always appointed to ensure pastoral support is provided to those who need it. While this matter is under ­investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Sarah Ann Garitty

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