Former Army Sergeant Major Jailed for Assaulting Soldier Before Tragic Death

A former senior Army sergeant major has been sentenced to six months in prison for sexually assaulting a teenage soldier who later took her own life. Warrant Officer Michael Webber pleaded guilty at the Court Martial Centre in Bulford, Wiltshire last month to the assault of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck. The incident left the 19-year-old feeling “severely frightened,” and her family described her emotional state as one of “powerlessness and betrayal.”

Gunner Beck’s body was found at Larkhill Camp on December 15, 2021, five months after the assault. Her mother, Leighann McCready, noted a dramatic change in her daughter following the incident: “I saw the change in her with my own eyes – my bright, confident daughter became quiet and withdrawn.” Gunner Beck’s family emphasized that not only was the assault traumatic, but the subsequent handling of her complaint by military authorities shattered her trust in the system designed to protect her.

An inquiry conducted in 2023 revealed that Gunner Beck had experienced multiple instances of inappropriate behavior from senior personnel prior to her death, with Webber being one of those individuals. As part of his sentencing, Webber has been demoted to the lowest possible rank in the military, known as “sent to the ranks,” since he had already left the Army.

In a victim impact statement shared during the court proceedings, McCready expressed her belief that Webber’s actions and the way they were managed broke something within her daughter that could never be repaired. Gunner Beck’s sister, Emilli Beck, criticized the response from the Army, stating, “I feel my sister was shamefully manipulated by Michael Webber, then by those who protected him.” She highlighted the pressure placed on Gunner Beck to refrain from filing a police report, which she believes contributed to her sister’s tragic fate.

Gunner Beck’s father, Anthony Beck, expressed his anguish over the assault, stating, “What he did didn’t just hurt Jaysley; it tore through our family. It will haunt me for the rest of my life.” Following an inquest into her death, Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled that there was a “balance of probabilities” that Gunner Beck had been sexually assaulted. The coroner noted that the Army’s failure to act appropriately in response to her complaint significantly contributed to her death.

The assault occurred during an adventure training exercise in July 2021, where Webber reportedly told Gunner Beck that she was “beautiful” before proceeding to kiss her and touch her thigh, despite her requests for him to stop. The court heard that Gunner Beck felt compelled to hide from him, even sleeping in her car that night for safety.

In the days following the incident, Gunner Beck made several reports about the assault to her mother, friends, and her chain of command. However, the military chose to handle the complaint as a “minor administrative” issue, which prevented police involvement. Prosecutor Commodore James Farrant stated, “Whatever its justification, it was not appropriate this issue was dealt with administratively.”

Webber admitted to his “unacceptable behaviour” during an interview and even wrote a letter of apology to Gunner Beck, shortly after which he received a promotion. Gunner Beck later remarked to her mother, “I got a letter, he got a promotion,” a sentiment that McCready said has echoed in her mind ever since.

Legal representatives from the Centre for Military Justice (CMJ), which has been advocating for Gunner Beck’s family, condemned the Army’s inadequate response. Emma Norton, a solicitor with the CMJ, described the situation as “outrageous” and “unconscionable.” Another CMJ lawyer, Lucy Baston, highlighted that many women in the UK Armed Forces face similar barriers when reporting harassment or assault. She noted that such failures can lead to devastating consequences, a reality tragically underscored by Gunner Beck’s case.

After the inquest, the Army acknowledged its shortcomings in supporting Gunner Beck, stating it “should have done so much more.” Webber’s lawyer, Mr. Matthew Scott, indicated that Webber was “devastated” and accepts that his actions contributed to the tragic outcome of Gunner Beck’s life. “He makes no excuse for what he did,” Scott stated.

This case serves as a grim reminder of the challenges faced by service members in reporting and addressing sexual assault within the military. If you or someone you know is struggling with similar issues, support is available through organizations such as the Samaritans, reachable at 116 123 in the UK and Republic of Ireland.