Shorouk Express
The Army’s failure to properly investigate complaints of abuse contributed to the suicide of a teenage soldier, a coroner has ruled.
Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead at Wiltshire’s Larkhill Camp on December 15 2021.
An inquest heard the 19-year-old had complained to her family about the “possessive and psychotic” behaviour of her boss, Ryan Mason.
Mr Mason, a bombardier at the time, had sent her 4,600 WhatsApp messages over the preceding two months.
The teenager had also made a complaint against another senior soldier, Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber, now of warrant officer 2 rank, who she said had “pinned her down” while attempting to kiss her during a stay at Thorney Island, near Emsworth in Hampshire, in July 2021 for an adventure training exercise.
On Thursday Nicholas Rheinberg, assistant coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, found that this complaint being dealt with as a “minor administrative action” instead of being reported to police as a sexual assault was “more than a minimal contributory factor” in her death.
The coroner said that despite toxicology tests showing that she was three times over legal drink drive limit at the time of her death, he believed she had intended to take her own life by hanging.
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During the inquest, Mr Mason denied he had tried to “manipulate” Gunner Beck by putting pressure on her by talking about his own mental health and suicide concerns.
Meanwhile, WO2 Webber, who is married, declined to answer questions at the inquest.
Nicholas Rheinberg, assistant coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said on the balance of probabilities that Gunner Beck’s complaint “should have been reported to police and the failure to do so breached Army policy”.
Summing up the Salisbury inquest, Mr Rheinberg said: “I find on the balance of probabilities that the complaint should not have been dealt with by minor administrative action, by following this route it breached Army policy as it was a sexual assault carried out on a 19-year-old Gunner by a middle-aged man of senior rank and was recorded merely as inappropriate behaviour unbecoming of a warrant officer.”
The inquest previously heard from Brigadier Melissa Emmett, head of the Army personnel services group, who said the force formally accepted failures were made.
Brigadier Emmett said on Monday: “We let her down in so many ways for which we have already apologised, and if I can apologise again, for what it’s worth, I would do.”
Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg said there was an “arguable case” that the Army had breached Gunner Beck’s Article 2 right to life under the Human Rights Act.
He said this was from the failure of superior officers failing to take action over the “barrage” of messages sent by Mr Mason and the failure to fully investigate Gunner Beck’s complaint of sexual assault against WO2 Webber.
Speaking following the inquest’s conclusion, Jaysley Beck’s mother, Leighann McCready, told reporters: “Jaysley was so much more than a soldier – she was our daughter, a sister to Emily and a friend to so many.
“She was kind, caring and truly loved by everyone who knew her. She was full of life, bright and absolutely fantastic at her job.
“The Army has admitted that it let Jaysley down, and has apologised for its failings – but no apology will ever bring our daughter back.”
Ms McCready said the army could no longer be allowed to investigate itself in cases of sexual harassment, assault, bullying and abuse.
There needed to be an independent body responsible for investigating serious cases, she said.
“Only then can we ensure true accountability, real justice and genuine change.”
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
