Mother’s anger after coroner finds Army failures contributed to Jaysley’s death
Gunner Jaysley Beck took her own life at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire, in December 2021, after failings by the Army, a coroner has ruled.
The mother of a teenage Royal Army Gunner who took her own life has accused the Army of a “cover-up” after a coroner ruled a string of failings contributed to her death.
Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck was found hanged at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on December 15 2021.
Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled that the Army’s failure to take action after Gunner Beck was harassed by her line manager contributed to her death.
He also ruled that “on the balance of probabilities” she had been sexually assaulted by another senior colleague, and the Army’s failure to take appropriate action “more than minimally” contributed to her death.
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.
“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.”
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.”
She added that 700 male and female soldiers had made contact to share their own experiences since the start of the inquest.
Concluding the Salisbury inquest on Thursday, Mr Rheinberg said there had been a “systemic failure” by the Army to report harassment she suffered at the hands of her manager before her death.
Mr Rheinberg said Gunner Beck had faced the failure of superior officers to take action over the “barrage” of messages sent by her manager Ryan Mason and the failure to fully investigate Gunner Beck’s complaint of sexual assault against Warrant Officer Michael Webber.
He added: “I find there is an arguable case for saying, in relation to Jaysley, the state breached her Article 2 right to life by way of the state failure to put in place a framework of laws, policies, procedures and means of enforcement which will, to the greatest extent, protect life.”
The coroner added that Gunner Beck’s complaint about being sexually assaulted on a stay at Thorney Island “should have been reported to police and the failure to do so breached Army policy”.
He added: “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 Army said it “should have done so much more to support and protect” Gunner Beck.
Reading a statement on behalf of the Army, Brigadier Melissa Emmett, the head of the Army Personnel Services Group told reporters after the inquest: “On behalf of the Chief of the General Staff, I wish to extend the Army’s deepest condolences to Jaysley’s family and friends, and to offer them our sincerest apologies for the failings that the coroner has identified during this inquest.”
“We should have done so much more to support and protect her – Jaysley was exactly the kind of person the Army needs, and she was excelling at her job.”
The inquest previously heard that the 19-year-old had complained about the “possessive and psychotic” behaviour of her boss Mr Mason, a bombardier at the time.
The hearing was told the senior soldier, who had mental health issues having previously self-harmed, had sent Gunner Beck more than 1,000 messages in that October and 3,600 in November, and had spoken of his love for her.
Her mother, Ms McCready, of Oxen Park, Cumbria, said that her daughter “did not feel safe” as Mr Mason’s behaviour intensified, and she had feared that he had hacked her phone and was watching her.
An Army service inquiry report published in October 2023 described this as “an intense period of unwelcome behaviour”, and said it was “almost certain this was a causal factor” in her death.
Mr Mason, who served in the Core Engagement Team (CET) with Gunner Beck but left in the same month as her death, denied that he had tried to “manipulate” her by putting pressure on her by talking about his own mental health and suicide concerns.
The hearing was also told that Gunner Beck had made a complaint against the other senior soldier, then Battery Sergeant Major Webber, during the stay at Thorney Island, near Emsworth in Hampshire, in July 2021 for an adventure training exercise.
She had said that he had “made a pass” at her, put his hand between her legs and “pinned her down” while trying to kiss her, the hearing was told.
Gunner Beck, who joined the Army at 16, had been left scared by the incident and ended up sleeping in her car for safety, the inquest was told.
The married soldier, who is now of Warrant Officer 2 rank, declined to answer questions at the inquest.
WO2 Webber had been ordered to write a letter to Gunner Beck after the incident, which he said had been an attempt at a “genuine apology”.
The Army service inquiry report said this “minor sanction” was “possibly a factor that may have influenced her failure to report other events that happened subsequently”.
The report added that said family issues, including a bereavement, were also responsible for Gunner Beck’s death, which her family reject.
It detailed three “contributory factors” to Gunner Beck’s death, including the “significant strain” of a sexual relationship with a married colleague in the last few weeks of her life; a relationship which ended in November 2021 which involved “repeated allegations of unfaithfulness on the part of the boyfriend”; and an “unhealthy approach to alcohol, with episodes of binge drinking”.
It added that Gunner Beck had no diagnosed mental health conditions and had not sought welfare support from anyone in the Army.
After the conclusion of the inquest, Brigadier Emmett told reporters: “For three years since Jaysley’s sad death, we have seen significant changes in the Army, including the introduction of clear and unequivocal policies to state that there will be zero tolerance to unacceptable sexual behaviours.
“These changes are being embedded throughout our culture, policies and enduring practices across every part of the Army.
“There is more work to do and the evidence heard in this inquest reminds us how important it is to make lasting and effective change.
“It is my hope that such change will give service personnel the confidence they need to report sexual offences and inappropriate behaviours, knowing that they will be listened to.
“We are absolutely clear that everyone must play a role in building and upholding the respectful professional environment we all need to thrive.”
Alistair Carns, minister for veterans and people, paid tribute to Gunner Beck and said the Army will now “reflect on the failings identified to learn lessons” from the inquest.
He added that there is “no place for any abuse or unacceptable behaviours within the military”.
Mr Carns said: “Our thoughts remain with Jaysley-Louise Beck’s loved ones at this difficult time. Jaysley was a young and promising soldier who should have had the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and safe environment. Her death was and still is a tragedy, and we are deeply sorry for the failure to protect her. I acknowledge what has been said in this inquest and the Army will now reflect on the evidence heard and the failings identified to learn lessons from the coroner’s findings.
“The Army has accepted the failings identified by the service inquiry and responded to the recommendations to improve service life across its culture, policies, and practices. Our armed forces play a vital role in protecting the nation and a range of substantive measures – many already introduced – will help to build a safer, more inclusive environment for our personnel, particularly for new recruits, and ensure that any concerns raised are listened to and swift appropriate action is taken.
“Let me be clear: There is no place for any abuse or unacceptable behaviours within the military. This Government has stepped up efforts to bring about crucial reform and provide a place where people are proud to work and have faith in the service justice system. We will honour Jaysley’s legacy by ensuring this is done in the shortest possible time and in the most effective manner.
“Anyone – military or civilian – who has been a victim of serious crime in the defence community can contact our confidential crime line on 0800 085 0658, which is available 24/7.”
The coroner, Mr Rheinberg, said that he would not be preparing a report to prevent future deaths as he had been “reassured” by the Army, including from Brigadier Emmett’s evidence during the inquest, that “matters are currently under review and revision”.
Emma Norton, the family’s solicitor, said: “It is hard to imagine a more critical set of conclusions from the coroner, who has today found that the multiple and extremely serious failings on the part of the Army in responding to Jaysley’s report of sexual assault and her experience of intolerable sexual harassment, contributed to her death.”
