A senior sergeant implicated in a distressing incident, wherein he allegedly “pinned down and tried to kiss” a teenage soldier, has indicated plans to resign from the Army, as revealed at a recent inquest.
Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, aged 19, was tragically found deceased in her Larkhill Camp barracks in Wiltshire on 15 December 2021, shortly after a work-related social event.
The inquest disclosed that Beck had lodged a complaint against Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber following the distressing episode.
Although Webber received a minor reprimand on his record, critical details of the misconduct were omitted due to “miscommunication,” resulting in inadequate legal advice being provided.
During the inquest, Webber confirmed his intention to leave the Army by April and declined further comment about the incident, though he acknowledged having sent an apology letter to Beck.
Further unsettling revelations at the inquest included that despite the sanction, Webber was promoted to Warrant Officer 1 in May 2022.
The incident reportedly occurred during an adventure training on Thorney Island in July 2021, where Beck described a coercive situation escalated by a drinking game, ultimately leading to Webber’s advances.
The inquest also heard that the procedural handling of the incident was flawed, with Major Robert Ronz, the officer responsible for determining Webber’s punishment, admitting he was unaware of the full extent of the physical contact during his decision-making.
This misstep highlighted significant lapses in communication within the chain of command.
The broader implications of such incidents within the military were also touched upon, including the inadequacy of minor sanctions for serious offences and the potential erasure of such records, which could obscure the true nature and frequency of such misconduct.
The tragic circumstances of Gunner Beck’s life and death, marked by pressure and personal turmoil, were underscored by testimony about her vibrant personality and the significant challenges she faced, including harassment from another senior officer and personal relationship strains that deeply affected her.
