A GWENT caving instructor cleared of the manslaughter of an army trainee is calling on police to hold an investigation into why he was arrested.

Matthew Doubtfire, 34, of Rockfield Road, Monmouth, says he has been ostracised and verbally abused and his reputation 'devastated'.

Mr Doubtfire stood trial charged with manslaughter through gross negligence after army recruit Kevin Sharman, 17, died in Porth-yr-Ogof caves, Mid Wales, during an army training exercise in 2002.

Mr Doubtfire, who denied the charges throughout, was cleared of any wrongdoing at Swansea Crown Court in March last year.

Then in January, the Ministry of Defence was heavily criticised by the Health and Safety Executive over the death. The HSE said there were 'significant failings' that exposed army employees to a significant risk to their safety.

The MoD accepted there were failings and said the army had tightened its procedures since, but the army itself can not be prosecuted in the case because of Crown Immunity.

But Mr Doubtfire remains suspended on full pay - and he says he does not know why.

Mr Doubtfire is nowdemanding answers from Dyfed Powys police, and has called for a "full and thorough investigation" into why he was arrested.

He said: "My reputation has been devastated. I have been ostracised and verbally abused. My wife and I have had to put up with the stigma and humiliation associated with this case for nearly three years."

Mr Doubtfire is unable to work, currently suspended from his MoD position on full pay since his arrest three years ago. He was employed as a civil servant by the MoD to teach outdoor pursuits to army recruits, based in Sennybridge.

He said: "There is nothing I can do with the MoD, despite them being censured by the HSE, because they are immune.

"I want the police to explain why I was arrested in the first place and I want the results to be made public. Quite simply I would like an apology so I can get on with my life.

"I can't work so I just sit around the house all day. I am depressed by it all. This has gone on for too long."

Mr Doubtfire says he has written to Dyfed Powys police calling for an investigation.

A Dyfed Powys Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm we have received Mr Doubtfire's letter and will be investigating his complaint."

The Ministry of Defence said they were unable to comment on Mr Doubtfire's case as the Argus went to press.