Former Sergeant Major Michael Webber pleads guilty to sexually assaulting Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, who died in 2021. Family says Army failed her. Full details inside.
A tragic update has emerged in the case of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, the 19-year-old soldier who died in 2021 after reporting harassment from her superior.
The Assault and Complaint
In July 2021, during an adventure training exercise in Hampshire, Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber pinned Beck down, grabbed her leg, and tried to kiss her. Beck filed a complaint, but instead of serious action, the Army dismissed the case as a “minor” matter.
Just months later, in December 2021, Beck was found dead at her barracks in Wiltshire. An inquest concluded that the Army’s poor handling of her complaint played a “more than minimal contributory part” in her death.
Guilty Plea from Webber
On September 5, 2025, Webber admitted to one count of sexual assault at a pre-trial hearing. He now awaits sentencing.
Beck’s mother, Leighann McCready, expressed both relief and heartbreak:
“We are relieved that Michael Webber has admitted his guilt and not put us through the trauma of yet more legal proceedings, but nothing can undo the devastating loss of our beautiful daughter Jaysley.”
Army Failures and Missed Warnings
Lawyer Emma Norton, representing the family, criticized the Army:
“If the Army had listened when Jaysley first reported the assault and passed it to police, things could have been so different.”
Major Robert Ronz, who handled the complaint, told the inquest he believed it was only a “minor sanction” issue and never pursued a full investigation. He admitted that miscommunication meant he was unaware of the physical contact.
A service inquiry report in October 2023 revealed Beck endured “an intense period of unwelcome behavior” that was almost certainly a direct cause of her death.
Harassment from Another Colleague
The inquest also heard about Bombardier Ryan Mason, another superior who sent Beck over 4,600 obsessive messages. She described feeling “trapped” and “not safe” because of his behavior, which worsened her distress.
A Preventable Tragedy
Beck’s death highlights systemic failures in military leadership and safeguarding. Families and campaigners continue to demand change to protect young soldiers from harassment and abuse.
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