AN Oxfordshire soldier who shot himself in the chest while on duty committed suicide, the coroner for Oxfordshire has ruled today.

Private Darren Leslie killed himself with an assault rifle at St David's Barracks in Bicester on the morning of September 4.

Pte Leslie's family came from Northern Ireland to listen to the inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner's Court this morning.

Coroner Darren Salter said he was satisfied with the evidence that Pte Leslie had intended to kill himself and committed suicide.