Two officers to face court martial over handling of teenage soldier Jaysley Beck case

Two British Army officers are to face a court martial after being charged over the handling of a case of sexual assault on 19-year-old soldier Jaysley Beck.

In 2021, Royal Artillery Gunner Beck took her own life in her barracks at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire, after her allegations of sexual assault against a former sergeant were not taken seriously.

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson said: "Following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command, we can confirm two individuals have been charged with offences under Section 19, Armed Forces Act (conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline).

"It would be inappropriate to comment further as legal proceedings are ongoing."

In October, former sergeant major Michael Webber was jailed for six months for sexually assaulting Gunner Beck, who was bombarded with messages by another senior colleague before taking her own life.

Webber, who was a 39-year-old Battery Sergeant Major at the time, previously pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault. He was sentenced at Bulford Court Martial Centre in Salisbury.

He had assaulted Gunner Beck, from Cumbria, at a work social event in July 2021.

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Gunner Beck, who had joined the Army at 16, said that Webber had "made a pass" at her, put his hand between her legs and "pinned her down" while attempting to kiss her.

She pushed him away and locked herself in her car for the night before making a complaint to her superiors in the morning.

Webber received a minor sanction, involving him being interviewed and writing Gunner Beck an apology letter, but the incident was not reported to police.

An inquest into her death heard she was later inundated with messages by bombardier Ryan Mason, another senior colleague, who expressed his love for her and has since left the army.

The 19-year-old's body was found in her room at Larkhill barracks, Wiltshire, on 15 December, 2021. An inquest ruled that she had died by suicide.

During the inquest, coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled that "on the balance of probabilities" the Army's failure to take appropriate action "more than minimally" contributed to her death.

An army report published in October 2023 also described Gunner Beck being exposed to "an intense period of unwelcome behaviour", adding it was "almost certain this was a causal factor" in her death.

Wiltshire Police investigated a complaint of harassment submitted by Gunner Beck's family after her death, relating to Mr Mason's behaviour, but found the evidence did not support a criminal harassment case.

Gunner Beck's mother, Leighann McCready, said outside the court after Webber's sentencing: "No sentence will ever be enough.

"While he serves his time, it's us who will live with a life sentence for what he did. And now the army failed to protect her afterwards."

Ms McCready said her daughter "did everything right, but was failed by the system that was meant to support and protect her".

"She followed the rules, but those responsible didn't follow as they failed to act. Failed to report and failed to follow up," Ms McCready added.

(c) Sky News 2026: Two officers to face court martial over handling of teenage soldier Jaysley Beck case