A former British Army sergeant major has been sentenced to six months in prison for sexually assaulting a teenage soldier who went on to kill herself after senior officers failed to investigate the assault properly.
The victim, Jaysley Beck, was just 19 years old when she reported being assaulted by Michael Webber during a training exercise in Hampshire in July 2021. Despite her report, no action was taken and Webber even received promotions while serving in the army.
Webber's sentence has been hailed as a "step in the right direction" for victims of sexual assault in the military. He had engaged Beck in a drinking game before touching her thigh and trying to kiss her, leaving her feeling scared and vulnerable.
The army's failure to investigate Webber's actions properly was widely criticized at Beck's inquest in February last year. The coroner said that the army's response "more than minimally" contributed to her death by failing to take appropriate action when she reported the assault.
Beck's mother, Leighann McCready, described how her daughter received a phone call from Webber after the assault, saying: "He got a letter, he got a promotion. The assault shattered her faith in the system that was supposed to look after her."
The army has since said that it is working to make lasting and effective changes to prevent similar incidents happening again. A minister for veterans and people said that they were honouring Beck's legacy by bringing about crucial reform.
In a statement, McCready said: "The army is clearly not a safe space for young women. This is still continuing. They mark their own homework and this has been going on for too many years. Jaysley followed the rules but those responsible didn't follow theirs."
Beck's death highlights the need for greater support and protection for victims of sexual assault in the military. Her case has sparked a wider conversation about the need for reform within the army to prevent similar incidents happening again.
The UK, Ireland, US, Australia, and other countries have crisis helplines available for those who are struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts. If you are struggling, please contact Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website at [email protected].
The victim, Jaysley Beck, was just 19 years old when she reported being assaulted by Michael Webber during a training exercise in Hampshire in July 2021. Despite her report, no action was taken and Webber even received promotions while serving in the army.
Webber's sentence has been hailed as a "step in the right direction" for victims of sexual assault in the military. He had engaged Beck in a drinking game before touching her thigh and trying to kiss her, leaving her feeling scared and vulnerable.
The army's failure to investigate Webber's actions properly was widely criticized at Beck's inquest in February last year. The coroner said that the army's response "more than minimally" contributed to her death by failing to take appropriate action when she reported the assault.
Beck's mother, Leighann McCready, described how her daughter received a phone call from Webber after the assault, saying: "He got a letter, he got a promotion. The assault shattered her faith in the system that was supposed to look after her."
The army has since said that it is working to make lasting and effective changes to prevent similar incidents happening again. A minister for veterans and people said that they were honouring Beck's legacy by bringing about crucial reform.
In a statement, McCready said: "The army is clearly not a safe space for young women. This is still continuing. They mark their own homework and this has been going on for too many years. Jaysley followed the rules but those responsible didn't follow theirs."
Beck's death highlights the need for greater support and protection for victims of sexual assault in the military. Her case has sparked a wider conversation about the need for reform within the army to prevent similar incidents happening again.
The UK, Ireland, US, Australia, and other countries have crisis helplines available for those who are struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts. If you are struggling, please contact Samaritans on 116 123 or visit their website at [email protected].
this is so messed up how can u have a system in place to protect people like jaysley and yet still let her down big time i mean yeah we need to give michael webber some punishment but its not just about that its about the fact that his colleagues didnt do anything when they knew he was a predator and now his victims are paying the price 
The recent sentencing of Michael Webber highlights the devastating consequences of a culture that enables and covers up sexual assault within the military 
. This case underscores the need for stricter accountability mechanisms and increased support for victims like Beck 
. The army's failure to prioritize its own personnel, particularly those who are vulnerable due to their identity or gender, is a stark reminder of the systemic issues that perpetuate this toxic environment 
. It's heartening to see the army taking steps towards reform, but more needs to be done to ensure that victims receive the justice and support they deserve 
.
she was so young and innocent, and those senior officers failed her completely 
. The army needs to do so much better in terms of supporting their own soldiers, especially women who are already vulnerable 
. It's like they thought their uniforms made them above the law... Newsflash: no one is above the law, especially not in a position of power 
.
. And yeah, the army's response was absolutely appalling 
. It's disgusting.
. Jaysley's death was preventable, and if the army had just done their job right, she might still be with us today 
.
. It's clear that there were some serious failures in the system, especially from senior officers who failed to investigate properly. This whole thing just highlights how messed up the military is when it comes to dealing with sexual assault cases 
seriously though, how do senior officers expect to keep a safe space for young women when they're more worried about promotions than actual justice? 
it's mind-boggling that Webber got promoted while serving in the army... like, what does that even say about the system? 
we need real reform here, not just a slap on the wrist or a PR statement. 
gotta give credit to Jaysley's mom for speaking truth to power tho 
we need to hold people in power accountable for their actions and create a culture where victims feel safe speaking up 
... and the army's trying to make changes now, which is a start 
... we just need to keep pushing for more support and protection for victims of sexual assault, you know?
I'm so glad there's a minister trying to make changes now 
. Six months in prison is like, super generous for someone who basically ruined a young woman's life 
. I bet they'll still find ways to sweep this under the rug and make excuses for their slow response. And what about the thousands of other cases that went unreported or unpunished? 
his victim jaysley was only 19 and she died after not getting the help she needed its just heartbreaking 
my heart goes out to leighann mccready and her daughter jaysley, rest in peace sweet girl 