TWO former soldiers have pleaded not guilty to the rape of army corporal Anne-Marie Ellement, who was found hanged two years after the alleged attack.

Cpl Ellement died at Bulford Barracks on October 9, 2011, two years after she alleged that two soldiers raped her while she was stationed in Germany in November 2009.

The 30-year-old, from Bournemouth, alleged she was then bullied by other female soldiers.

After an initial investigation in 2009, the case was referred to the Service Prosecuting Authority which decided there was "insufficient evidence to prosecute", but a decision was made in October this year to charge the two defendants following a review by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Ex-corporals Thomas Fulton, 27, formerly of 174 Provost Company 3 Royal Military Police, and Jeremy Jones, 28, formerly of Close Protection Unit Royal Military Police Operations Wing, both appeared at Bulford Court Martial Centre.

They both entered not guilty pleas to two charges each of rape dating between November 18 and 21, 2009.

Judge Jeff Blackett ordered a three-week trial to begin on April 11 next year at the same court with legal argument to be held on March 3.

He told the defendants: "You have both been released on your own providence but you are to attend at this court on March 3 or an earlier date if that is to be arranged."

The hearing was attended by Cpl Ellement's mother, Alexandra Barritt, and sisters, Sharon Hardy and Khristina Swain.

A second inquest was held into Cpl Ellement's death by Wiltshire Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg in Salisbury last year following lobbying by Cpl Ellement's family with the assistance of human rights charity Liberty.

Mr Rheinberg ruled that bullying, the "lingering" mental effects of an alleged rape, "work-related despair" and a romantic break-up were all factors in Cpl Ellement's death.