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An ex- service sergeant has been ordered to serve 180 days in custody for sexually assaulting a young gunner who subsequently died by suicide.

Sergeant Major the former sergeant, 43, pinned down soldier the victim and sought to make physical contact in mid-2021. She was found dead several months after in her military accommodation at Larkhill, Wiltshire.

The defendant, who was given his punishment at the legal proceedings in Wiltshire recently, will be placed in a civilian prison and listed on sexual offenders list for seven years.

The victim's mother Leighann Mcready remarked: "The assault, and how the armed forces neglected to defend our young woman following the incident, cost Jaysley her life."

Army Statement

The armed forces stated it ignored the servicewoman, who was a native of the Cumbrian village, when she reported the assault and has apologised for its handling of her report.

Subsequent to an inquest into Gunner Beck's death, the accused pleaded guilty to a single charge of sexual assault in last fall.

The mother said her daughter ought to have been present with her relatives in legal proceedings now, "to see the person she reported brought to justice for the assault."

"Conversely, we appear missing her, enduring endless sorrow that no relatives should be forced to endure," she continued.

"She complied with procedures, but those responsible neglected their responsibilities. These shortcomings destroyed our daughter totally."

PA

Judicial Process

The legal tribunal was informed that the assault happened during an military training at the training location, near Hampshire's Emsworth, in July 2021.

The sergeant, a senior officer at the period, attempted physical intimacy towards Gunner Beck following an alcohol consumption while on deployment for a military exercise.

Gunner Beck stated the accused remarked he had been "anticipating an opportunity for them to be by themselves" before grabbing her leg, restraining her, and trying to kiss her.

She reported the incident against Webber subsequent to the violation, notwithstanding efforts by commanding officers to discourage her.

An inquest into her passing found the armed forces' response of the allegations played "more than a minimal contributory part in her suicide."

Family Statement

In a statement read out to the tribunal previously, Ms McCready, stated: "She had only become a teenager and will always be a teenager full of life and laughter."

"She had faith people to defend her and post-incident, the confidence was gone. She was extremely troubled and scared of the accused."

"I saw the difference firsthand. She felt powerless and betrayed. That assault shattered her faith in the structure that was intended to look after her."

Judge's Statement

While delivering judgment, Judge Advocate General the magistrate remarked: "We must evaluate whether it can be dealt with in an alternative approach. We do not consider it can."

"We have determined the seriousness of the crime means it can only be resolved by prison time."

He spoke to Webber: "The servicewoman had the courage and good sense to demand you halt and told you to retire for the night, but you continued to the point she believed she would remain in danger from you even if she returned to her assigned barracks."

He continued: "The next morning, she made the complaint to her family, her acquaintances and her commanding officers."

"After the complaint, the unit decided to address your behavior with minimal consequences."

"You were interviewed and you accepted your actions had been unacceptable. You wrote a written apology."

"Your military service advanced completely unaffected and you were eventually promoted to Warrant Officer 1."

Background Information

At the inquest into the soldier's suicide, the coroner said military leadership put pressure on her to withdraw the complaint, and just informed it to a superior officers "once details became known."

At the period, Webber was given a "light disciplinary meeting" with no further consequences.

The inquiry was further advised that mere weeks after the incident Gunner Beck had additionally been facing "persistent mistreatment" by another soldier.

Another soldier, her superior officer, sent her numerous text messages expressing emotions for her, accompanied by a multi-page "love story" outlining his "personal thoughts."

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Institutional Response

The Army said it extended its "heartfelt apologies" to Gunner Beck and her loved ones.

"We continue to be profoundly sorry for the shortcomings that were identified at the official inquiry in winter."

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