A former sergeant major has been jailed for six months for sexually assaulting a teenage soldier, who later took her own life after being bombarded with messages by another senior colleague.
Michael Webber, who was a 39-year-old Battery Sergeant Major at the time, previously pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault. He was sentenced at Bulford Court Martial Centre in Salisbury on Friday.
He had assaulted 19-year-old Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, from Cumbria, at a work social event in July 2021.
Gunner Beck, who had joined the Army at 16, said that Webber had “made a pass” at her, put his hand between her legs and “pinned her down” while trying to kiss her.
She pushed him away and spent the night locked in her car before making a complaint to her superiors in the morning.
Webber was given a minor sanction, but the incident was not reported to police.
An inquest into her death heard she was later bombarded with messages by bombardier Ryan Mason, another senior colleague, who has since left the army, who expressed his love for her.
The 19-year-old’s body was found in her room at Larkhill barracks, Wiltshire, on 15 December, 2021. An inquest ruled that her death was a suicide.
During an inquest, coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled that “on the balance of probabilities” the Army’s failure to take appropriate action “more than minimally” contributed to her death.
An army report published in October 2023 also described gunner Beck being exposed to “an intense period of unwelcome behaviour”, and said it was “almost certain this was a causal factor” in her death.
Wiltshire Police investigated a complaint of harassment submitted by Gunner Beck’s family after her death, relating to Mr Mason’s behaviour, but found the evidence did not support a criminal harassment case.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.
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