A former Army sergeant major has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 19-year-old soldier who was later found dead in her barracks, an inquest determined that the military’s handling of the complaint contributed to her death.
Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead at Larkhill barracks in Wiltshire on 15 December 2021. She had filed a complaint after Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber pinned her down and attempted to kiss her at a work social event, the family and court documents say.
An inquest held earlier this year concluded that the Army’s handling of Gunner Beck’s complaint played "more than a minimal contributory part in her death," and criticised the chain of command for failing to report the allegation to civilian police. Webber, who has since left the Army, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault at a pre-trial hearing on Friday and is awaiting sentencing.
Gunner Beck reported the assault despite what her family have described as attempts by superiors to dissuade her. At the inquest the coroner said Captain James Hook had put pressure on her to drop the allegations and that the complaint was only passed to higher command "when the cat was already out of the bag." A subsequent miscommunication through the chain of command meant details that Webber had attempted to touch Gunner Beck’s leg were lost, the inquest heard.
Rather than being referred to Wiltshire Police, the incident was recorded internally as "inappropriate behaviour unbecoming of a warrant officer," and Webber was given a "minor administrative action interview" with no further disciplinary action. Weeks after the assault, the inquest heard Gunner Beck was subjected to persistent unwanted attention from another soldier, Bombardier Ryan Mason, who sent her more than 4,600 text messages and a 15-page document detailing his feelings and fantasies, the family said.
Following the inquest in February, Gunner Beck’s family asked Wiltshire Police to consider criminal proceedings. In June the force passed a file to the Service Prosecuting Authority, which confirmed Webber would be charged with sexual assault. The guilty plea was entered at the recent pre-trial hearing.
The Army has apologised to the family for "letting her down" and said it could have done more. It said it has introduced policies intended to make clear there is "zero tolerance to unacceptable sexual behaviours" and to improve reporting and investigation procedures within the service.
Leighann McCready, Gunner Beck’s mother, said the family was relieved Webber had admitted guilt and that they were spared the trauma of further legal proceedings, but added that nothing can undo the loss of their daughter. Emma Norton, the solicitor representing the family, said it was a relief that the assailant had admitted the offence and that a different response from the chain of command — specifically reporting to police when the allegation was first raised — could have made an enormous difference.
Webber remains to be sentenced. The Army said its reforms aim to ensure allegations are properly recorded and referred to the appropriate authorities. If you or someone you know has been affected by the details in this story, help and support information is available via BBC Action Line.