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Family Snapshot

A former military sergeant has been ordered to serve 180 days in jail for attacking a young gunner who afterwards died by suicide.

Sergeant Major the former sergeant, forty-three, held down service member Jaysley Beck and tried to make physical contact in the summer of 2021. She was discovered deceased half a year following in her military accommodation at Larkhill military installation.

The defendant, who was sentenced at the military court in the Wiltshire region recently, will be sent to a civilian prison and registered as offender database for a seven-year period.

The family matriarch Ms. Mcready commented: "What he [Webber] did, and how the military neglected to defend our daughter afterwards, cost Jaysley her life."

Army Statement

The Army said it did not listen to the servicewoman, who was a native of Oxen Park in Cumbria, when she reported the assault and has apologised for its management of her report.

Following a formal inquiry regarding Gunner Beck's death, Webber confessed to one count of physical violation in September.

The mother stated her child ought to have been present with her relatives in the courtroom now, "to see the person she accused held accountable for his actions."

"Conversely, we appear without her, facing perpetual grief that no relatives should be forced to endure," she added.

"She complied with procedures, but the individuals in charge neglected their responsibilities. These shortcomings destroyed our daughter completely."

PA

Judicial Process

The legal tribunal was told that the violation occurred during an adventure training exercise at the training location, near Emsworth in Hampshire, in July 2021.

The accused, a senior officer at the time, attempted physical intimacy towards the servicewoman subsequent to an social gathering while on assignment for a field training.

Gunner Beck testified the sergeant remarked 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 made official allegations against the accused following the incident, regardless of pressure by superiors to discourage her.

An official inquiry into her death found the military's management of the allegations played "a significant contributing factor in her demise."

Parent's Account

In a statement read out to the judicial body previously, Ms McCready, stated: "The young woman had recently celebrated nineteen and will always be a teenager full of vitality and joy."

"She believed authorities to safeguard her and following the assault, the faith was gone. She was deeply distressed and fearful of the accused."

"I saw the change before my own eyes. She felt powerless and betrayed. That incident shattered her confidence in the set-up that was supposed to protect her."

Judge's Statement

While delivering judgment, The presiding judge the magistrate stated: "We must evaluate whether it can be dealt with in another way. We do not consider it can."

"We are satisfied the gravity of the violation means it can only be addressed by immediate custody."

He spoke to Webber: "The victim had the strength and intelligence to instruct you to cease and told you to retire for the night, but you continued to the point she considered she would remain in danger from you even when she returned to her personal quarters."

He stated further: "The following day, she reported the incident to her family, her companions and her military superiors."

"Following the report, the military unit opted to handle the situation with minor administrative action."

"You were interviewed and you admitted your behavior had been improper. You prepared a apology note."

"Your career advanced without interruption and you were subsequently elevated to higher rank."

Further Details

At the investigation into the tragic passing, the official examiner said military leadership put pressure on her to withdraw the complaint, and just informed it to a higher command "once details became known."

At the time, the accused was given a "minimal consequence discussion" with no serious repercussions.

The investigation was further advised that just weeks after the assault Gunner Beck had further been subjected to "continuous bullying" by another soldier.

A separate service member, her superior officer, sent her numerous text messages expressing emotions for her, accompanied by a 15-page "romantic narrative" detailing his "fantasies about her."

Personal collection

Official Statement

The Army stated it provided its "heartfelt apologies" to the soldier and her loved ones.

"We remain sincerely regretful for the shortcomings that were noted at the formal investigation in early this year."

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