The mother of a teenage Royal Artillery Gunner who died by suicide has accused the Army of attempting to conceal its failures after a coroner identified multiple shortcomings that contributed to her daughter’s death. Jaysley Beck, a 19-year-old soldier, was found hanged at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on December 15, 2021.
Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg concluded that the Army’s inaction following harassment by Beck’s line manager, Bombardier Ryan Mason, and its inadequate response to a probable sexual assault by a senior colleague, Warrant Officer Michael Webber, significantly contributed to her death. The coroner’s findings, delivered at an inquest in Salisbury, highlighted a “systemic failure” in addressing the young soldier’s plight.
Leighann McCready, Beck’s mother, spoke emotionally after the ruling: “Jaysley was more than just a soldier—she was our daughter, a sister, and a beloved friend. She was kind, vibrant, and exceptional at her job. The coroner’s findings confirm that the Army’s mishandling of her sexual assault report and the relentless harassment she endured played a role in her death. Their apology means little when it can’t bring her back.” She expressed her outrage, stating, “I’m disgusted with how the Army failed her,” and asserted her belief that the institution engaged in a “cover-up.”
The inquest revealed that Beck had been bombarded with over 1,000 messages from Mason in October 2021 and 3,600 in November, alongside declarations of love, which an Army inquiry later described as “intense unwelcome behaviour” and a likely factor in her death. Beck had described Mason as “possessive and psychotic,” fearing he had hacked her phone and was monitoring her. Mason, who worked with Beck in the Core Engagement Team and left the Army the same month she died, denied manipulating her.
Additionally, Beck had reported a sexual assault by Webber during a July 2021 training exercise at Thorney Island. She alleged that Webber, a married middle-aged officer, made unwanted advances, pinned her down, and touched her inappropriately. Traumatized, she slept in her car for safety. The Army treated the incident as “inappropriate behaviour,” issuing only a minor sanction—a letter of apology from Webber—rather than reporting it to the police, breaching its own policies.
Mr. Rheinberg criticized the Army for failing to protect Beck’s Article 2 right to life, pointing to deficiencies in its framework for handling such incidents. He noted that the sexual assault complaint warranted a police investigation, not the minor administrative action taken.
Since the inquest began, McCready said 700 soldiers—male and female—have contacted her to share similar experiences. The Army acknowledged its shortcomings, with Brigadier Melissa Emmett offering condolences and an apology on behalf of the Chief of the General Staff. “We failed to support and protect Jaysley, who was a vital asset to the Army and thriving in her role,” Emmett said, outlining efforts to implement stricter policies against unacceptable behavior.
An October 2023 Army inquiry identified Mason’s harassment as a key factor in Beck’s death, alongside family issues and a breakup, though her family disputes the latter’s significance. It also noted her binge drinking but found no diagnosed mental health conditions or requests for welfare support.
Beck joined the Army at 16, driven by ambition and skill. Her mother, from Oxen Park, Cumbria, said Jaysley “didn’t feel safe” as Mason’s behavior escalated. The coroner declined to issue a prevention of future deaths report, citing assurances from the Army, including Emmett’s testimony, that reforms are underway.
Emma Norton, the family’s solicitor, called the coroner’s conclusions “devastating,” emphasizing the Army’s grave lapses. The Army pledged to foster a culture where personnel feel safe reporting offenses, vowing lasting change to honor Beck’s memory.
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