Ex-army Sergeant Jailed Over Assault That Drove Soldier To Suicide

 

 

A former British Army sergeant major has been jailed for six months for sexually assaulting 19-year-old Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, who later took her own life after the Army failed to act on her complaint.

 

Warrant Officer Michael Webber, 43, pinned Beck down and tried to kiss her during a training exercise at Thorney Island, Hampshire, in July 2021. Despite her immediate report to superiors, Webber received only “minor administrative action,” kept his job, and was later promoted.

 

Beck was found dead five months later at her Larkhill barracks in Wiltshire. An inquest later ruled the Army’s handling of her case played “more than a minimal contributory part” in her death.

 

Her mother, Leighann McCready, said outside court: “She followed the rules, but those responsible didn’t follow theirs. Those failures destroyed our daughter completely.”

 

Judge Advocate General Alan Large told Webber his offence was “so serious it can only be dealt with by immediate custody.” Webber will serve his sentence in a civilian prison and be listed on the sex offenders register for seven years.

 

At the inquest, it was revealed that senior officer Capt James Hook pressured Beck to withdraw her complaint and that she later endured “relentless harassment” from another soldier, Bombardier Ryan Mason, who sent her over 4,600 messages and a 15-page “love story.”

 

The Ministry of Defence apologised, admitting it “failed to protect” Beck. The Army said it has since reformed its justice system, creating the Defence Serious Crime Command to handle sexual and violent crimes independently of the chain of command.

 

McCready vowed to continue fighting for reform: “Our soldiers deserve a system they can trust — one that protects them, believes them, and values their lives above its own reputation.”

 

Key Takeaways

• Ex-sergeant major jailed six months for assaulting 19-year-old soldier who later died by suicide.
• Army admitted “failings” and said its handling of her complaint contributed to her death.
• New Defence Serious Crime Command now handles military sexual assault cases independently.

 

Source: BBC News

 

 

Another case of military harassment resulting in death. So far, deaths among Thai soldiers beaten to death number 28. I have yet to hear of any prosecutions. Armies are a culture of violence. How can any real man get it up when a woman says "NO"! Despicable. He should be on the sexual offenders list for life.