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Family Snapshot

An ex- service sergeant has been sentenced to half a year in prison for committing sexual assault against a young gunner who later ended her life.

Sergeant Major Michael Webber, 43, held down soldier Jaysley Beck and attempted to make physical contact in July 2021. She was located without signs of life half a year following in her military accommodation at Larkhill military installation.

The convicted individual, who was sentenced at the legal proceedings in the Wiltshire region recently, will be transferred to a correctional facility and listed on offender database for a seven-year period.

Gunner Beck's mother Ms. Mcready remarked: "The assault, and how the Army neglected to defend our young woman following the incident, cost Jaysley her life."

Army Statement

The military leadership stated it ignored the servicewoman, who was a native of Cumbria's Oxen Park, when she disclosed the incident and has expressed regret for its handling of her complaint.

After an inquest into the soldier's suicide, the accused confessed to one count of unwanted sexual advance in the autumn.

The grieving parent said her young woman could have been present with her relatives in court today, "to witness the person she filed against held accountable for his actions."

"Instead, we stand here without her, living a life sentence that no family should ever have to face," she continued.

"She followed the rules, but the accountable parties failed in their duties. Such negligence shattered our child completely."

PA

Judicial Process

The court was told that the violation happened during an field exercise at the exercise site, near the Hampshire area, in July 2021.

The sergeant, a senior officer at the time, attempted physical intimacy towards the servicewoman following an social gathering while on duty for a military exercise.

Gunner Beck stated the accused said he had been "waiting for a moment for them to be in private" before making physical contact, holding her against her will, and trying to kiss her.

She reported the incident against the accused subsequent to the violation, despite attempts by superiors to convince her against reporting.

An inquest into her suicide found the military's management of the allegations played "an important role in her demise."

Parent's Account

In a account shared to the tribunal previously, the parent, said: "The young woman had recently celebrated a teenager and will always be a teenager full of energy and happiness."

"She had faith people to defend her and after what he did, the confidence was shattered. She was deeply distressed and terrified of Michael Webber."

"I saw the change firsthand. She felt powerless and betrayed. That violation broke her trust in the set-up that was intended to protect her."

Court Ruling

While delivering judgment, Judge Advocate General the judge stated: "We have to consider whether it can be handled in an alternative approach. We are not convinced it can."

"We have determined the gravity of the violation means it can only be dealt with by immediate custody."

He addressed the convicted individual: "She had the strength and intelligence to demand you halt and told you to leave the area, but you persisted to the extent she considered she could not feel secure from you even when she went back to her personal quarters."

He added: "The following day, she reported the incident to her family, her acquaintances and her military superiors."

"After the complaint, the command chose to deal with you with minimal consequences."

"You were subject to inquiry and you admitted your conduct had been unacceptable. You wrote a written apology."

"Your military service continued unimpeded and you were subsequently elevated to senior position."

Background Information

At the investigation into the soldier's suicide, the coroner said Capt James Hook put pressure on her to cease proceedings, and only reported it to a superior officers "after information had leaked."

At the period, the sergeant was given a "light disciplinary meeting" with no further consequences.

The investigation was also told that only a short time after the violation the servicewoman had additionally been facing "persistent mistreatment" by another soldier.

Another soldier, her commanding individual, transmitted to her numerous text messages declaring attachments for her, accompanied by a 15-page "romantic narrative" detailing his "fantasies about her."

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Organizational Reaction

The military leadership expressed it offered its "deepest sympathies" to Gunner Beck and her family.

"We continue to be deeply apologetic for the shortcomings that were discovered at the official inquiry in February."

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