The army “covered up” a teenage soldier’s complaints of sexual assault and inappropriate behaviour before she killed herself, her mother believes.
An inquest into the death of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck concluded on Thursday.
Beck, 19, was found dead at Wiltshire’s Larkhill Camp on 15 December 2021.
The inquest heard that the 19-year-old had complained to her family about the “possessive and psychotic” behaviour of her boss, Ryan Mason, before she hung herself.
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.
She said he 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.
Beck’s mother Leighann McCready said that she believed the army “covered up” her daughter’s complaints and how she was treated.
Speaking after the inquest verdict, Ms McCready said she blamed the army for Beck’s death and called for outside organisations to be brought in to investigate complaints made by soldiers.
Ms McCready said: “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 about their own experiences since the start of the inquest.
During the inquest, Mr Mason denied he had tried to “manipulate” Beck by putting pressure on her by talking about his own mental health and suicide concerns.
Meanwhile, Mr 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 Beck’s complaint “should have been reported to police and the failure to do so breached army policy”.
It was recorded merely as “inappropriate behaviour unbecoming of a warrant office”, but was a sexual assault, Mr Rheinberg said.
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 Beck’s Article 2 right to life under the Human Rights Act.
He said this was from the failure of superior officers 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 Mr Webber.
Ms McCready remembered her daughter as “kind, caring and truly loved by everyone who knew her”.
She was full of life and “absolutely fantastic” at her job, Ms McCready said.
“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.
