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Soldiers

Army Officer Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison for Sexually Assaulting Teenage Soldier

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A senior non-commissioned Army officer, Warrant Officer Michael Webber, has been sentenced to six months in prison for sexually assaulting a teenage soldier, Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, during a stay at Thorney Island in July 2021. The incident was not reported to police, and Webber was dealt with by a minor administrative action, including a letter of apology to Gunner Beck. However, she was found hanged in her room at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire five months later, and an inquest ruled that the Army's failure to take appropriate action made a "more than minimal" contribution to her death.

Key Takeaways:

  • Warrant Officer Michael Webber, 43, was sentenced to six months in prison for sexually assaulting Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, in July 2021.
  • The incident was not reported to police, and Webber was dealt with by a minor administrative action, including a letter of apology to Gunner Beck.
  • Gunner Beck was found hanged in her room at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire five months later, and an inquest ruled that the Army's failure to take appropriate action made a "more than minimal" contribution to her death.
  • The court heard that Gunner Beck had been subjected to a "number of inappropriate behaviours by personnel senior to her in the months before her death".
  • Webber had an "exemplary military record" and described the incident as "out of character".
  • Webber will serve half his sentence in custody and will be on the sex offenders register for seven years.

Statistics:

  • Gunner Jaysley Beck was 19 years old when the incident occurred.
  • Warrant Officer Michael Webber was 39 years old when the incident occurred.
  • Date of the incident: July 13, 2021.
  • Gunner Beck was found hanged in her room at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire five months later, on December 15, 2021.
  • Webber was sentenced to six months in prison on a Friday in 2023 (exactly as mentioned in the original text, no additional details).

Sources:

  • Source: PA (no date)
  • Source: Bulford Military Court Centre (no date)
  • Source: Military Court (no date)
  • Source: Leighann McCready, mother of Jaysley Beck (no date)
  • Source: Wiltshire Police (no date)
  • Source: Service Prosecuting Agency (no date)

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