Colonel Cleared Over Handling of Allegations Prior to Soldier Jaysley Beck Suicide

Gunner Jaysley Beck, a 19-year-old soldier who died by suicide at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire following allegations of sexual assault, was let down by senior army leadership, according to prosecution claims reported by The Guardian. Colonel Samantha Shepherd had faced an accusation of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline regarding the December 2021 death of Gunner Beck. Assistant Judge Advocate General Edward Legard informed the court that the crown concluded insufficient evidence existed to safely convict Shepherd. A military board consisting of an Royal Air Force air commodore, a navy captain, and an army colonel formally returned a not guilty verdict.

Court Martial Proceedings at Catterick Garrison

Colonel Shepherd stood trial alongside Major James Hook at the military court centre located at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire. Opening statements delivered by prosecutor Commander Paul Patterson alleged that both senior officers let down Gunner Beck after she reported an incident that occurred during an adventure training exercise on July 2021 at Thorney Island in Chichester Harbour. The court martial board learned that Beck informed both officers about behavior directed toward her by Warrant Officer Michael Webber at a social event during the training package.

Commander Patterson told the court that the young soldier told each officer enough to understand she may have been sexually assaulted, according to The Guardian. While the board cleared Colonel Shepherd, the trial of Major Hook continues. On Wednesday, the military court board heard a summary of an interview Hook gave to military police investigators.

Testimony and Military Police Interview Summaries

Major Hook told investigators that Gunner Beck stated Warrant Officer Webber had made a pass at her and mentioned it was possible she also said he tried to kiss her. Hook stated that he asked Beck if Webber had forced himself on her or if she felt threatened, to which she replied no. Hook noted that he knew Beck was not enjoying the adventure exercise.

She had complained about being there… it caused me to question the veracity of the allegation, Major Hook stated in his interview summary, as reported by The Guardian. I didn’t say I disbelieved her but that was definitely going through my mind. She was saying all she wanted was to return to Larkhill. I had at the back of my mind this might be a spurious thing to get away from the training package.The Guardian

Hook added that Beck stated she did not want anything bad to happen to Webber. He testified that he informed her that an investigation and subsequent guilty finding would almost certainly bring consequences for Webber, explaining that the remark served to make her aware of consequences rather than discourage her. Hook maintained that he believed his actions empowered and supported Beck in making the correct decision, noting that he reported her statements to her immediate boss before the matter was taken away from him. The trial for Major Hook remains ongoing.