Ten Army instructors stand accused abusing of teenage recruits who were allegedly battered and fed manure, in one of the biggest scandals to hit the forces in recent years.

The non-commissioned officers face a total of 29 charges - 23 of ill-treatment and six of battery - relating to events said to have taken place over a nine-day period in June 2014.

It is alleged the defendants, who are all sergeants or corporals, ill-treated 12 recruits while instructors at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

The ill-treatment charges surround the victims allegedly being slapped or punched to the face, spat at, grabbed by the throat, having their faces submerged in mud or beingordered to eat animal manure.

Two of the defendants, Sgt Thomas Bryan (left) and Acting Sgt Steven Duncan (right), arriving at Bulford Military Court

The defendants are:

Sergeant Simon Girault, of 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, who is accused of four charges of battery and three of ill-treatment.

Staff Sergeant Steven Harrison, of 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, who is accused of one charge of battery and one of ill-treatment.

Sergeant Thomas Bryan, of 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, who is accused of one charge of battery and one of ill-treatment.

Staff Sergeant Brian Crawford, of 152 (North Irish) Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, who is accused of six charges of ill-treatment.

Corporal Andrew Armitage, of 156 Regiment, The Royal Logistic Corps, who is accused of one charge of ill-treatment.

Sergeant Mark Graham, of the HQ Defence Food Services School, Royal Logistic Corps, who is accused of four charges of ill-treatment.

Acting Sergeant Steven Duncan, of 1st Battalion Scots Guards, who is accused of four charges of ill-treatment.

Acting Sergeant Daniel Royle, of 1st Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, who is accused of one charge of ill-treatment.

Corporal Anthony Thomas, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, who is accused of one charge of ill-treatment.

Acting Sergeant Robert Comley, of The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, who is accused of one charge of ill-treatment.

The defendants spoke only to confirm their names and enter their not guilty pleas during a preliminary hearing at the court martial centre in Bulford, Wiltshire.

The court heard the court martial will begin on February 12 next year and is due to last around four weeks.

Assistant Judge Advocate General Alan Large released the defendants on unconditional bail.

The non-commissioned officers face a total of 29 charges - 23 of ill-treatment and six of battery, at Bulford Military Court (pictured)

In a separate hearing Acting Sgts Duncan and Royle denied further charges related to allegations made at the Army Foundation College between July 2013 and October 2014.

Acting Sgt Duncan denied two charges of ill-treatment, two charges of battery and one charge of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline by allegedly taking personal items belonging to junior soldiers.

Acting Sgt Royle pleaded not guilty to two charges of ill-treatment and one charge of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline by allegedly taking personal items belonging to junior soldiers.

Both defendants were released on unconditional bail until their trial.