Ex-Army Sergeant Jailed for Assault on Soldier Who Later Died

Published: 31 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

An ex-Army Sergeant Major has been sentenced to six months in prison for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old soldier who later took her own life, highlighting systemic failures in the military’s handling of abuse complaints. Warrant Officer Michael Webber, 43, was found guilty of sexually assaulting Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck in July 2021 during a training exercise at Thorney Island, Hampshire. The assault, which involved Webber pinning down Gunner Beck and attempting to kiss her, occurred following an evening of drinking. Five months later, she was found dead in her barracks at Larkhill, Wiltshire.

Sentencing took place at the Court Martial Centre in Wiltshire, where it was decided that Webber would serve his term in a civilian prison and be placed on the sex offenders register for seven years. During the hearing, Judge Advocate General Alan Large emphasized the gravity of Webber’s actions, noting that Gunner Beck had repeatedly resisted and reported the assault, yet felt unsafe even in her own accommodation.

Gunner Beck’s mother, Leighann McCready, spoke outside the court, expressing her anguish over her daughter’s death and the Army’s failures. “What he did, and how the Army failed to protect our daughter afterwards, cost Jaysley her life,” she said. “She followed the rules, but those responsible didn’t follow theirs. Those failures destroyed our daughter completely. We can’t bring her back, but I will keep fighting to ensure her life leads to change and protects others.”

The inquest into Gunner Beck’s death revealed serious lapses in the Army’s handling of her complaint. When she reported the assault, she was initially ignored, and her superiors attempted to persuade her not to pursue the case. The inquest concluded that these failings played “more than a minimal contributory part” in her death. Ms McCready described her daughter as “powerless and betrayed,” noting that the assault shattered her trust in the institution meant to safeguard her.

Adding to the trauma, weeks after the incident, Gunner Beck endured relentless harassment from another soldier, Bombardier Ryan Mason, who sent her more than 4,600 messages expressing his feelings, alongside a 15-page document detailing fantasies about her.

During sentencing, Judge Advocate General Large detailed that Webber had initially faced only minor administrative action, accepted his behaviour was unacceptable, and even wrote a letter of apology. Despite this, his military career continued, eventually leading to a promotion to Warrant Officer 1. The court concluded that the seriousness of the assault could only be addressed through immediate custody.

The Army has issued a formal apology to Gunner Beck’s family and committed to reforming its systems to prevent future failures. Maj Gen Jon Swift, assistant chief of the General Staff, said steps are underway to ensure personnel can report complaints knowing they will be handled appropriately. The Ministry of Defence reaffirmed that “unacceptable and criminal behaviour has absolutely no place” in the Armed Forces and highlighted the introduction of the Defence Serious Crime Command in 2022, designed to independently investigate and prosecute serious offences, including those involving sexual assault.

Ms McCready, while acknowledging the steps taken since her daughter’s death, stressed that meaningful change is still needed. “The Army spoke about lessons learned, but I’m still waiting to see real change,” she said. “Our soldiers deserve a system they can trust, one that protects them, believes them, and values their lives above its own reputation.”

The sentencing of Webber marks another painful milestone for Gunner Beck’s family, but also a stark reminder of the critical importance of accountability and reform within military structures, ensuring that victims of abuse are supported and protected.