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An ex- service sergeant has been given 180 days in jail for committing sexual assault against a young gunner who afterwards died by suicide.

Warrant Officer the former sergeant, 43, held down soldier Jaysley Beck and attempted to make physical contact in the summer of 2021. She was discovered deceased several months after in her quarters at Larkhill, Wiltshire.

The defendant, who was given his punishment at the Court Martial Centre in Wiltshire earlier, will be placed in a correctional facility and on the sex offenders register for seven years.

The victim's mother Leighann Mcready remarked: "His actions, and how the military neglected to defend our young woman subsequently, resulted in her suicide."

Official Reaction

The Army said it did not listen to the servicewoman, who was a native of the Cumbrian village, when she reported the assault and has said sorry for its management of her complaint.

Following a formal inquiry regarding the soldier's suicide, the defendant pleaded guilty to the offense of sexual assault in last fall.

The grieving parent commented her child should have been present with her family in the courtroom today, "to see the individual she reported facing consequences for the assault."

"Instead, we are present missing her, living a life sentence that no relatives should be forced to endure," she stated further.

"She adhered to protocols, but the accountable parties failed in their duties. Those failures destroyed our daughter totally."

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Court Proceedings

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

The sergeant, a Sergeant Major at the period, initiated inappropriate contact towards Gunner Beck after an social gathering while on duty for a field training.

The victim stated the accused stated he had been "waiting for a moment for them to be alone" before grabbing her leg, restraining her, and attempting to force intimacy.

She made official allegations against the accused after the assault, despite attempts by superiors to discourage her.

An official inquiry into her suicide found the military's management of the allegations played "an important contributing factor in her suicide."

Family Statement

In a testimony presented to the judicial body earlier, Ms McCready, stated: "Our daughter had recently celebrated 19 and will eternally stay a young person full of life and laughter."

"She believed authorities to protect her and post-incident, the confidence was lost. She was very upset and fearful of Michael Webber."

"I saw the difference personally. She felt helpless and deceived. That violation destroyed her trust in the set-up that was supposed to safeguard her."

Judge's Statement

While delivering judgment, The presiding judge Alan Large remarked: "We must evaluate whether it can be handled in a different manner. We are not convinced it can."

"We are satisfied the seriousness of the crime means it can only be resolved by immediate custody."

He spoke to the convicted individual: "The victim had the strength and intelligence to tell you to stop and directed you to leave the area, but you persisted to the degree she believed she would remain in danger from you even if she went back to her assigned barracks."

He added: "The next morning, she reported the incident to her relatives, her companions and her chain of command."

"Subsequent to the allegations, the unit chose to deal with you with light disciplinary measures."

"You underwent questioning and you admitted your actions had been unacceptable. You composed a written apology."

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

Further Details

At the investigation into Gunner Beck's death, the official examiner said Capt James Hook put pressure on her to cease proceedings, and only reported it to a higher command "after information had leaked."

At the period, Webber was given a "minor administrative action interview" with no serious repercussions.

The investigation was additionally informed that just weeks after the assault the soldier had further been exposed to "persistent mistreatment" by a different service member.

Another soldier, her commanding individual, transmitted to her numerous SMS communications confessing his feelings for her, accompanied by a multi-page "love story" outlining his "fantasies about her."

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Institutional Response

The armed forces said it extended its "heartfelt apologies" to the servicewoman and her family.

"We remain sincerely regretful for the failings that were identified at the formal investigation in winter."

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