Ex-Army officer admits to sexually assaulting 19-year-old soldier Jaysley Beck before her tragic suicide. Her mother speaks out about military failures.
Heartbroken Mom Speaks Out After Ex-Army Officer Admits to Sexually Assaulting Soldier Who Took Her Own Life
The mother of 19-year-old soldier Jaysley Beck, who tragically took her own life in 2021, has spoken out after a former Army officer admitted to sexually assaulting her daughter.
The Tragedy of Jaysley Beck
In December 2021, Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire, UK.
Before her death, she filed a complaint against Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber, alleging he pinned her down and tried to kiss her at a work social event.
Despite her immediate reports, Beck felt unsupported by her chain of command.
Now, years later, Webber has left the Army and, on September 5, 2025, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault during a pre-trial hearing. He will be sentenced on October 31, 2025.
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed:
“Following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command, we can confirm that former WO1 Michael Webber pleaded guilty to a single charge of sexual assault.”
A Mother’s Devastating Statement
Beck’s mother, Leighann McCready, described her daughter’s death as an unbearable loss.
“We are relieved that Michael Webber has admitted his guilt and not put us through the trauma of more legal proceedings, but nothing can undo the devastating loss of our beautiful daughter Jaysley.”
She also criticized the Army for failing her daughter despite her repeated attempts to report the assault:
Jaysley reported the attack twice—first to her captain, who dismissed it, and then further up the chain of command.
Her complaints were not referred to the police, despite existing rules requiring it.
Weeks later, another senior male allegedly harassed her, leaving her with “nowhere to turn.”
Fight for Accountability
McCready said the family had to push tirelessly to have the case properly investigated.
“After Jaysley’s death, we tried hard to get to the bottom of what happened. No one was listening. Thankfully, the coroner held a full inquiry, concluding Jaysley had been sexually assaulted—something we never doubted.”
She added:
“Even then, we had to formally request it be treated as a crime. If we hadn’t done that, we wouldn’t be here today.”
Support for Victims
Jaysley’s story highlights the challenges many service members face when reporting abuse within the military. Her family hopes that by speaking out, greater accountability will prevent future tragedies.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, help is available:
Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) (24/7).
Chat online at online.rainn.org.
