A young man who told detectives four months ago that he was repeatedly sexually assaulted by a former Bermuda Regiment officer has criticised the police investigation into his claims.

The 20-year-old said officers have told him hardly anything about their inquiry since July 16 — when he described to them how he was allegedly attacked ten times by the man.

It is understood that Police have yet to even interview the alleged perpetrator — though he is thought to have spent some time off Island.

The alleged victim said yesterday that Bermuda Regiment had warned him that he faced arrest himself if he failed to show up to Warwick Camp to complete his military service.

As reported by this newspaper last month, the conscript is refusing to attend Regiment drills on the grounds that he does not feel it is a safe environment, because similar accusations were made about his alleged attacker while he was a serving officer.

Three separate official investigations — by the Regiment, the Ministry of Public Safety and the Human Rights Commission — are ongoing into a string of sexual misconduct claims at Warwick Camp between 1989 and 2002.

The alleged abuse of the young man, between February and June this year, did not take place in a military environment.

But he told this newspaper: "I don't see why they can't discharge me. I feel there is no reason why they should not be able to discharge me."

The private said he wanted to be discharged on medical grounds, rather than face criminal and military charges in Magistrates' Court for failing to fulfil his military duties.

"The number one reason is that I don't feel safe and number two: I haven't been through any counselling. Basically, I just need some time off. I have taken some time off to deal with it and it's slowly but surely being dealt with."

He criticised Police for not keeping him regularly updated on their investigation into his sex assault claims — and questioned why their investigation was taking so long.

Acting Commissioner of Police Michael DeSilva said: "The Bermuda Police Service does not comment on the specifics of any matter under police investigation.

"It would be prejudicial and a gross breach of a person's fundamental right to a fair trial. That includes confirming or denying whether or not a specific individual is, in fact, under investigation."

Regiment commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gonsalves said of the soldier: "He claims to have been assaulted by a civilian, which as you know is a Police matter.

"[He] knows he is legally obligated under the Defence Act to contact the Regiment in order to resolve his matter."

Lt. Col. Gonsalves said his internal investigation into the previous claims of sexual assault was continuing. "As I stated several times in the past, the Regiment will also vigorously investigate any new allegations," he said.