Teen soldier was sexually assaulted and harassed by male bosses before suicide

The mum of a teenage soldier who killed herself after being sexually assaulted and harassed by male bosses has said she ‘won’t stop fighting until meaningful action is taken’ to address the abuse of women in the Army. Jaysley Beck, a 19-year-old Royal Artillery Gunner, was found hanged in her room at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on December 15, 2021.

Before her death, she complained to a friend that an older married colleague, Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber, had ‘pinned’ her down during a stay at Thorney Island, near Emsworth in Hampshire, in July 2021. He was said to have put his hand between her legs and tried to kiss her after ‘making a pass’ at the teenage soldier.

Jaysley had also been bombarded by her ‘possessive and psychotic’ line manager, Bombardier Ryan Mason, who professed his love for her in 4,600 WhatsApp messages sent in the space of two months. Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled that the Army’s failure to take action after Gunner Beck was harassed by Mr Mason contributed to her death.

He also ruled that ‘on the balance of probabilities’ she had been sexually assaulted by Mr Webber, and the Army’s failure to take appropriate action ‘more than minimally’ contributed to her death. Brigadier Melissa Emmett has apologised on behalf of the Army to the family of teenage soldier Jaysley Beck, saying: ‘We should have done so much more to support and protect her.’.

Speaking after Mr Rheinberg ruled Gunner Beck had died by suicide, her mother, Leighann McCready, said: ‘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.

On November 25, 2024 Metro launched This Is Not Right, a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women. Throughout the year we will be bringing you stories that shine a light on the sheer scale of the epidemic. With the help of our partners at Women's Aid, This Is Not Right aims to engage and empower our readers on the issue of violence against women.

You can find more articles here, and if you want to share your story with us, you can send us an email at vaw@metro.co.uk. Read more:. ‘Today, the Coroner has given his findings. They are extremely critical and he found that various Army failings in the handling of her report of sexual assault and in responding to the sexual harassment she was suffering, contributed to her death.

‘The Army has admitted that it let Jaysley down, and has apologised for its failings – but no apology will ever bring our daughter back.’. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video.

Up Next. Describing how she felt, she added: ‘Disgusted, absolutely disgusted, on how the Army have failed our daughter.’. When asked who she blamed for her daughter’s death, Ms McCready said: ‘The Army.’. Ms McCready added: ‘I believe it was a cover-up and it’s been made clear through the findings that the Army have failed our daughter Jaysley.’.

Addressing the Prime Minister, she went on: ‘This message is to Sir Keir Starmer and our Government – things need to change. ‘The Army cannot be allowed to investigate itself anymore when it comes to cases of sexual harassment, assault, bullying and abuse.

‘Too often, servicewomen and men don’t feel able to speak up out of fear of being victimised – and even when they do, the Army is left to investigate itself. ‘This cannot continue. There needs to be an independent body responsible for investigating those more serious cases, which is completely separate from the Army – only then can we ensure true accountability, real justice and genuine change.

‘The only comfort we have now is knowing that hundreds of people in the military have come forward, sharing their own experiences and seeking support. ‘No one should have to suffer in silence. There are independent sources of help available, and we urge anyone affected to reach out. You are not alone. Jaysley should still be here.

‘We won’t stop fighting until meaningful action is taken.’. Jaysley’s inquest has led to hundreds of women coming forward with stories of rape, abuse and harassment while serving in the military. Harrowing social media posts describe how they have been pinned down by male officers or forced to cower in their rooms while men try to force their way inside.

One woman said: ‘I used to hold my breath in my room at night when they were trying the door, to make them think I was out.’. Another said: ‘I was coming back from the toilet one day when a bloke came out of the showers, pinned me against the wall. Dropped his towel and told me that he “knew exactly what I needed”.’.