A former sergeant major has been jailed for six months for sexually assaulting a teenage soldier, who later took her own life after being bombarded with messages by another senior colleague.
Michael Webber, who was a 39-year-old Battery Sergeant Major at the time, previously pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault. He was sentenced at Bulford Court Martial Centre in Salisbury on Friday.
He had assaulted 19-year-old Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, from Cumbria, at a work social event in July 2021.
Gunner Beck, who had joined the Army at 16, said that Webber had “made a pass” at her, put his hand between her legs and “pinned her down” while trying to kiss her.
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Jaysley Beck and her mother Leighann McCready. Pic: Family handout/PA
She pushed him away and spent the night locked in her car before making a complaint to her superiors in the morning.
Webber was given a minor sanction, involving him being interviewed and writing Gunner Beck a letter of apology, but the incident was not reported to police.
An inquest into her death heard she was later bombarded with messages by bombardier Ryan Mason, another senior colleague, who has since left the army, who expressed his love for her.
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Jaysley Beck at her passing out parade. Pic: Centre for Military Justice/PA
The 19-year-old’s body was found in her room at Larkhill barracks, Wiltshire, on 15 December, 2021. An inquest ruled that her death was a suicide.
During the inquest, coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled that “on the balance of probabilities” the Army’s failure to take appropriate action “more than minimally” contributed to her death.
An army report published in October 2023 also described Gunner Beck being exposed to “an intense period of unwelcome behaviour”, and said it was “almost certain this was a causal factor” in her death.
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Gunner Beck was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire in December 2021. Pic: Family handout/PA
Wiltshire Police investigated a complaint of harassment submitted by Gunner Beck’s family after her death, relating to Mr Mason’s behaviour, but found the evidence did not support a criminal harassment case.
Gunner Beck’s mother Leighann McCready said outside the court after Webber’s sentencing: “No sentence will ever be enough.
“While he serves his time, it’s us who will live with a life sentence for what he did. And now the army failed to protect her afterwards.”
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Leighann McCready outside the military court
Ms McCready said her daughter “did everything right, but was failed by the system that was meant to support and protect her”.
“She followed the rules, but those responsible didn’t follow as they failed to act. Failed to report and failed to follow up,” she added.
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Ms McCready said she will continue fighting for “real change” in the British Army after Gunner Beck’s death: “Not hollow promises or recycled words that have already failed our daughter and continue to fail others.
“Real action means giving soldiers somewhere truly independent to report serious complaints without fear or favour.
“We cannot bring our daughter back. But I will keep fighting to make sure her life leads to change.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.