Two serving army officers are set to face a court martial after concerns arose over their handling of a teenage soldier’s sexual assault complaint — a case that tragically ended with her taking her own life.
Jaysley Beck, just 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on December 15, 2021, after raising concerns about the behavior of a male colleague.
The inquest into her death revealed the harrowing circumstances that preceded the tragedy.
The Allegation That Shook the Regiment
In July 2021, during a training exercise at Thorney Island near Emsworth, Hampshire, former Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber pinned down Beck and attempted to kiss her.
Webber was later jailed for six months for sexual assault, with the inquest concluding that his actions had “more than a minimal contributory part” in her death.
The army has publicly expressed regret, stating it is “profoundly sorry” for the failures identified during the inquest.
Now, attention turns to the officers in her chain of command at the time — Major James Hook and Colonel Samantha Shepherd — who had been aware of Beck’s complaint before her death.
Family Pushes for Accountability
Beck’s family wrote to General Sir Roly Walker, head of the Army, calling for further action against both officers.
The Service Prosecution Authority responded by charging Major Hook and Colonel Shepherd under the Armed Forces Act.
Colonel Shepherd, the regimental colonel for the Royal Artillery, told the inquest she initially viewed the complaint as “unwelcome attention, inappropriate contact” rather than sexual assault, saying, “I know now that it constitutes a sexual assault but I didn’t know it at the time.”
Major Hook admitted to having “suspicions” that Beck might have fabricated the story as an excuse to step away from the exercise.
At the inquest, he detailed his interactions with her, saying she described a “pass” from Webber and comments that implied unwanted attention.
Questions About Delay and Duty
A key issue highlighted at the inquest was why no immediate disciplinary action was taken.
Major Hook said he wanted to clarify the situation first and insisted there was “absolutely no motive to protect” the accused.
“I wanted to protect Gunner Beck by giving her the opportunity to decide if she wanted to take the matter any further,” he said.
Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg pressed on the army’s “zero tolerance” policy, asking why the matter hadn’t been reported immediately.
Hook insisted he was trying to understand the details and did not intend to cover anything up.
Further Concerns From Beck’s Line Manager
Beck’s challenges were compounded by another senior figure in her chain of command.
Bombardier Ryan Mason sent her over 4,600 text messages confessing feelings and a 15-page document outlining his fantasies about her.
Beck described him as “psychotic and possessive” but did not initially report the behavior.
Ministry of Defence Confirms Charges
The Ministry of Defence said: “Following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command, we can confirm two individuals have been charged with offences under Section 19 of the Armed Forces Act (conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline).
It would be inappropriate to comment further as legal proceedings are ongoing.”
The MoD has also established a Violence Against Women and Girls taskforce alongside a serious crime command, aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Families and Officials Respond
Beck’s mother, Leighann McCready, expressed relief that progress is being made.
“More than four years on from the loss of our daughter, we are very relieved to have finally got to this point,” she said.
Al Carns, minister for the armed forces, acknowledged the failings in Beck’s case, stating last year: “The Gunner Beck case was a horrendous failing of the system.
Over the last several years we’ve made proactive changes to ensure no woman ever feels alone again in defence.”
A Tragic Reminder of Systemic Failings
The case of Jaysley Beck has shone a light on shortcomings in the army’s handling of sexual misconduct complaints, especially involving junior personnel.
As the court martial approaches, all eyes remain on how the service addresses accountability, oversight, and the safety of its youngest soldiers.
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