A teenage soldier from Prince Harry's regiment killed himself on a train track after a woman he slept with at a party accused him of rape.

William Brutnell, a trooper with the Blues and Royals Regiment, was on the phone to his girlfriend Zoe Chapman, when he stepped in front of a train near Southampton, Hampshire.

An inquest heard that during the previous weekend the 18-year-old had been at a party when he spent the night with a woman while they were both drunk.

William Brutnell, 18, stepped in front of a train in February this year, while on the phone to his girlfriend after he was accused of rape

Afterwards Mr Brutnell, from Christchurch in Dorset, told friend, Lauren Price-Jones, that the woman had been coming on to him, before she accused him of rape.

In a statement read to the inquest at Winchester, Ms Price-Jones said: 'He ended up sleeping with the girl but she was accusing him of rape.

'He wasn't too worried as all of his friends saw how she was coming on to him.'

He also told another friend, Jack Marsden, who told the inquest that he believed his friend was more worried about his girlfriend, Zoe Chapman, finding out than any potential police investigation.

Mr Marsden said: 'He said he had been taken advantage of by the girl because he was very drunk. He kept telling me he was worried about Zoe finding out from a third party.'

Mr Marsden told the inquest how he had left Mr Brutnell, who was based at barracks in Bovington in Dorset, at the railway station before he took a train on February 9, this year.

He later heard an announcement of a fatality on the track and he was concerned it had been Mr Brutnell.

His girlfriend, Ms Chapman, said in her statement that she had become concerned about him after his sister had informed her that his regiment was searching for him as he was absent without leave.

Mr Brutnell was speaking on the phone to his girlfriend when he stepped in front of a train at level crossing in Southampton

She said she managed to reach him on the phone in a call which was cut off as he was hit by the train.

Ms Chapman said: 'He said "It's not your fault, it's not anyone else's fault. I have been suffering with depression for a while and I can't cope. I love you Zoe".

Mr Brutnell was in the same regiment as Prince Harry - the Blues and Royals

'He then began screaming "I am sorry, I am sorry". I was beside myself with worry.'

Describing her son, Mr Brutnell's mother Maria Wood said: 'He was a highly determined, outgoing young man, generous to his friends, family and girlfriend.

'He fought hard to get into the Army, having to prove only having one kidney wouldn't affect his ability serve his country.

'As far as we were aware, William had no problems and was enjoying the challenges of Army life.'

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Coroner for Central Hampshire Grahame Short said: 'I am not going to delve into precisely what happened and I make no conclusion as what occurred or the precise facts in relation to these happenings.

'However I think it is right to say that as a result he was extremely remorseful that following day and affected by the implications of what had happened.'

He added: 'A tragedy like this puts everything else into perspective and it must have been a terrible shock to his family, friends and everyone else who knew him.'