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Family Snapshot

An ex- military sergeant has been sentenced to six months in prison for committing sexual assault against a young gunner who subsequently ended her life.

Warrant Officer Michael Webber, 43, restrained soldier the young woman and attempted to kiss her in July 2021. She was discovered deceased half a year following in her military accommodation at Larkhill, Wiltshire.

Webber, who was given his punishment at the military court in Wiltshire previously, will be sent to a public jail and listed on sexual offenders list for seven years.

Gunner Beck's mother the mother commented: "His actions, and how the armed forces neglected to defend our young woman following the incident, cost Jaysley her life."

Army Statement

The Army stated it did not listen to the servicewoman, who was hailing from Cumbria's Oxen Park, when she reported the assault and has expressed regret for its response to her report.

Subsequent to an investigation of Gunner Beck's death, the defendant admitted to one count of sexual assault in September.

Ms McCready commented her child ought to have been sitting with her family in legal proceedings this day, "to observe the individual she filed against facing consequences for what he did."

"Rather, we appear in her absence, facing perpetual grief that no relatives should ever experience," she stated further.

"She adhered to protocols, but the accountable parties neglected their responsibilities. These shortcomings shattered our child totally."

Press Association

Judicial Process

The court was advised that the incident occurred during an adventure training exercise at the exercise site, near Hampshire's Emsworth, in July 2021.

The sergeant, a Sergeant Major at the time, made a sexual advance towards the soldier following an alcohol consumption while on deployment for a training exercise.

The servicewoman claimed the sergeant stated he had been "anticipating an opportunity for them to be in private" before making physical contact, holding her against her will, and attempting to force intimacy.

She filed a complaint against Webber subsequent to the incident, despite attempts by superiors to discourage her.

A formal investigation into her passing found the military's management of the report played "more than a minimal contributory part in her suicide."

Family Statement

In a testimony shared to the court previously, the mother, expressed: "She had recently celebrated a teenager and will always be a young person full of energy and happiness."

"She had faith individuals to protect her and post-incident, the trust was lost. She was extremely troubled and fearful of the sergeant."

"I saw the difference firsthand. She felt vulnerable and abandoned. That violation shattered her confidence in the set-up that was meant to protect her."

Judge's Statement

While delivering judgment, The judicial officer the magistrate said: "We need to assess whether it can be dealt with in another way. We do not believe it can."

"We have determined the severity of the crime means it can only be resolved by incarceration."

He spoke to Webber: "She had the bravery and wisdom to tell you to stop and instructed you to retire for the night, but you persisted to the extent she felt she could not feel secure from you despite the fact she returned to her personal quarters."

He continued: "The following day, she made the complaint to her relatives, her friends and her commanding officers."

"After the complaint, the command decided to deal with you with minimal consequences."

"You were subject to inquiry and you accepted your behavior had been unacceptable. You wrote a letter of apology."

"Your professional path advanced without interruption and you were eventually advanced to higher rank."

Background Information

At the formal inquiry into the soldier's suicide, the official examiner said a commanding officer pressured her to drop the allegations, and only reported it to a military leadership "after information had leaked."

At the moment, the sergeant was given a "minor administrative action interview" with no additional penalties.

The inquiry was further advised that just weeks after the violation the soldier had additionally been subjected to "persistent mistreatment" by a separate individual.

Another soldier, her commanding individual, transmitted to her numerous text messages confessing his feelings for her, along with a 15-page "love story" outlining his "personal thoughts."

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Institutional Response

The armed forces said it extended its "deepest sympathies" to Gunner Beck and her family.

"We continue to be deeply apologetic for the shortcomings that were noted at the official inquiry in February."

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