A SOLDIER who alleges he was bullied is to be medically discharged from the Army after he told doctors he would kill himself if he returned to base.

Lee McDonald said last night he was "over the moon" at news that he stands to be formally discharged on medical grounds within six weeks.

The 23-year-old is in hiding in a safehouse after he went absent without leave from Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, over allegations he was bullied by non-commissioned officers.

The soldier, who has served in Iraq and is assigned to the Kings Regiment, spoke about his experiences when a video alleging to show the apparent abuse of recruits at Catterick's Army School of Infantry was broadcast on national television.

The Ministry of Defence launched an immediate investigation into the footage, which allegedly showed hooded recruits being forced to assume humiliating poses.

Pte McDonald, who has been helped by the pressure group Deepcut and Beyond, travelled to the Duchess of Kent Hospital, in Catterick, yesterday for a medical assessment.

He said: "It has not really sunk in yet. It has been overwhelming, but I am over the moon.

"The doctor asked how I was feeling, what had happened to me and who had abused me.

"He asked me how I would feel if I went back to Catterick.

"I said I would probably kill myself.

"After he got over the shock, he said he would give me a discharge. The doctor was scared I would commit suicide and said he would write to the commissioning officer to get me out."

The soldier has been given a sick note for six weeks and expects to be formally discharged before it expires.

He alleged bullying was routine at Catterick and said he was regularly attacked by three different officers.

Pte McDonald joined the base's infantry training centre in September 2002. After six months, he was transferred to the King's Regiment, where he spent time with A and D company before running away.

Lynn Farr, whose son, Daniel, died at Catterick, has been supporting the soldier.

She said: "We have helped a number of soldiers who have been bullied to be discharged from the Army and we set up the safehouse to provide a safe haven in these situations.

"The medical discharge is good news for Lee. Hopefully, he will now be able to rebuild his life and start afresh."

A spokeswoman for the Army at Catterick Garrison said it did not comment on individual cases.