Former Sergeant Imprisoned for Sexual Offense on 19-Year-Old Soldier
Family Snapshot
An ex- military sergeant has been given half a year in custody for attacking a 19-year-old soldier who later died by suicide.
Warrant Officer Michael Webber, 43, pinned down soldier Jaysley Beck and sought to kiss her in July 2021. She was found dead several months after in her military accommodation at Larkhill military installation.
Webber, who was sentenced at the legal proceedings in Wiltshire previously, will be transferred to a public jail and registered as sexual offenders list for a seven-year period.
The victim's mother Ms. Mcready stated: "The assault, and how the Army did not safeguard our child subsequently, cost Jaysley her life."
Army Statement
The armed forces stated it did not listen to Gunner Beck, who was hailing from Oxen Park in Cumbria, when she disclosed the incident and has said sorry for its handling of her allegations.
After an inquest into the soldier's suicide, Webber admitted to one count of physical violation in last fall.
The grieving parent stated her child should have been alongside her relatives in legal proceedings today, "to observe the person she accused facing consequences for the assault."
"Rather, we are present missing her, living a life sentence that no loved ones should ever have to face," she added.
"She complied with procedures, but the accountable parties failed in their duties. Such negligence shattered our child completely."
PA
Court Proceedings
The legal tribunal was informed that the assault took place during an adventure training exercise at Thorney Island, near Hampshire's Emsworth, in July 2021.
The sergeant, a Sergeant Major at the moment, attempted physical intimacy towards the soldier after an social gathering while on assignment for a training exercise.
Gunner Beck stated the accused stated he had been "anticipating an opportunity for them to be by themselves" before taking hold of her, holding her against her will, and trying to kiss her.
She made official allegations against the accused following the assault, regardless of pressure by military leadership to discourage her.
An official inquiry into her suicide found the Army's handling of the allegations played "an important contributory part in her suicide."
Mother's Testimony
In a statement read out to the court during proceedings, the mother, stated: "The young woman had recently celebrated 19 and will always be a youth full of life and laughter."
"She trusted authorities to protect her and post-incident, the trust was lost. She was extremely troubled and scared of the sergeant."
"I witnessed the difference personally. She felt helpless and deceived. That assault shattered her trust in the set-up that was intended to safeguard her."
Judge's Statement
During sentencing, Judge Advocate General Alan Large remarked: "We need to assess whether it can be dealt with in a different manner. We do not consider it can."
"We conclude the seriousness of the offence means it can only be dealt with by immediate custody."
He spoke to the defendant: "She had the strength and intelligence to tell you to stop and instructed you to leave the area, but you carried on to the extent she considered she could not feel secure from you even when she went back to her own accommodation."
He continued: "The next morning, she made the complaint to her family, her acquaintances and her military superiors."
"Subsequent to the allegations, the command decided to handle the situation with minor administrative action."
"You were subject to inquiry and you accepted your conduct had been improper. You wrote a written apology."
"Your career continued completely unaffected and you were eventually promoted to senior position."
Background Information
At the investigation into the soldier's suicide, the coroner said Capt James Hook put pressure on her to drop the allegations, and only reported it to a military leadership "once details became known."
At the moment, the accused was given a "minor administrative action interview" with no additional penalties.
The investigation was additionally informed that mere weeks after the assault Gunner Beck had also been facing "persistent mistreatment" by a separate individual.
A separate service member, her line manager, directed toward her numerous SMS communications confessing his feelings for her, along with a multi-page "romantic narrative" outlining his "personal thoughts."
Family archive
Institutional Response
The Army said it extended its "deepest sympathies" to the soldier and her loved ones.
"We continue to be sincerely regretful for the failings that were noted at the official inquiry in winter."
"{The end of|The conclusion of|The completion
