Two senior Army officers are on trial accused of mishandling a sexual assault claim made by Gunner Jaysley Beck, who died by suicide five months later. A court martial at Catterick Garrison heard that Gunner Beck, 19, reported that Warrant Officer Michael Webber had attempted to kiss her and touched her leg in a sexual manner during a social event at a training exercise in July 2021.
Colonel Samantha Shepherd and Major James Hook are each charged with conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline. The prosecution alleges that the officers did not treat Gunner Beck's complaint with the seriousness it warranted and encouraged her to drop the allegation. Colonel Shepherd is accused of trying to suppress details to avoid involving service police, while Major Hook allegedly pressured the junior soldier not to make an official complaint.
Commander Paul Patterson, prosecuting, told the court that Gunner Beck was found in her car in an upset state on July 13, 2021, after the incident. She first reported the event to Major Hook, who was leading the training course. According to the prosecution, Major Hook gave Gunner Beck until noon that day to decide whether to make a formal complaint, a move described by the prosecutor as potentially 'leaning on her.' He allegedly told her that Warrant Officer Webber would 'almost certainly' face consequences if a complaint was filed.
Major Hook reportedly told a more senior officer that Warrant Officer Webber had 'made a pass' at Gunner Beck, but the prosecution claims this was a downplaying of the alleged assault. The court heard that Major Hook admitted to being skeptical of Gunner Beck's account, believing she might be lying because she had expressed a desire not to be on the training exercise.
Subsequently, Gunner Beck spoke with Colonel Shepherd. The prosecution contends that Colonel Shepherd deliberately failed to pass on crucial details to Captain Mae King, the adjutant responsible for discipline at the 14 Regiment Royal Artillery. Specifically, Colonel Shepherd allegedly omitted that Gunner Beck alleged Warrant Officer Webber had touched her or attempted to touch her. The prosecutor stated this omission was not credible and suggested it was a deliberate attempt to omit key information.
Gunner Beck was found dead in her barracks in Wiltshire in December 2021. The court also heard that Warrant Officer Webber later provided Gunner Beck with a written apology. Colonel Shepherd and Major Hook deny the charges against them. The trial is ongoing.