Regiment Major Sergeant “got so drunk at the Oktoberfest party that he fell in the toilet”

Dressed in Lederhosen, a regimental sergeant tasked with making sure his men didn’t drink too much at an Oktoberfest party got so drunk that he fell into the toilet and heard a court-martial.

RSM Michael Ransley, a decorated veteran, was to be responsible for “setting and maintaining standards” at the German-themed event at the Infantry Fighting School in Brecon, Wales.

However, the 24-year-old soldier was so intoxicated at the party on October 16 last year that he fell into the toilet and emerged in his long Bavarian socks, stained with excrement.

The 40-year-old man, who had previously been awarded medals, including for service in Iraq, admitted to disorder and was demoted after the incident.

Alcohol Policy Holder

He appealed the annulment of the demotion, but the judge dismissed the appeal after a hearing in the Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire.

RSM Ransley was described in court as the “embodiment” of what a commander should be – after all, guests described their horror at the “smell and appearance” of him, the military court heard.

At the hearing, it was said that the position of the soldier at the event “holds authority” and that he is “the owner of an alcohol policy.”

After RSM Ransley fell into the toilet, the court heard that he “continued to return to work despite being physically escorted to a private room” twice.

The sergeant was “deeply remorseful”

Defending Matthew Bolt told the hearing that the soldier was “deeply remorseful” for the “isolated incident.”

Mr Bolt told the court: “He was not on duty. This was not an active deterrent, but rather if all the elderly were there, their presence would have a deterrent effect.

“The man standing in front of you is deeply remorseful, the greatest proof of which is his immediate confession to his commanding officer.

Although Judge Attorney Robert Hill ruled that the father of three had been humiliated by the incident, he dismissed his appeal.

Judge Hill said at the hearing that the applicant had “apparently been very drunk” and that “he is considered to be the person responsible who was expected to deal with the conduct to which he was engaging”.