VC hero Johnson Beharry tells of 100mph suicide bid

Britain's most highly decorated soldier told how he tried to kill himself by driving into a lamp post at 100mph because he was so traumatised by the horrors of war.

Johnson Beharry, 30, awarded the Victoria Cross for saving colleagues while under fire, said he hoped the crash would "be my end" after suffering depression from his time in Iraq.

Lance Corporal Beharry, of 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, stormed out of his Dulwich house in December 2008 after an argument with his partner.

He said: "I picked a lamp post and drove straight for it. I heard a huge crash as my car collided." He escaped with minor injuries.

He said he was speaking out to help other soldiers. He added: "Yes, I'm the most decorated soldier in the British Army but I'm a human being as well — and I'm suffering. Help and care needs to be ongoing and available to everyone who served on the battlefield."