Two high-ranking Army officials have refuted accusations in connection with the tragic death of young soldier Jaysley Beck, who took her own life after being sexually assaulted by a superior.
Colonel Samantha Shepherd and Major James Hook appeared via video link at the Military Court Centre in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. They both denied charges of “conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline” related to their handling of information before Gunner Beck’s death in 2021 at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire.
Previously, senior non-commissioned officer Michael Webber, aged 43, was sentenced to six months in military prison after admitting to sexually assaulting Gunner Beck. An inquest into her death revealed that the incident and the Army’s failure to act appropriately significantly contributed to her tragic outcome.
Shepherd pleaded not guilty to two charges of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline. The first charge accuses her of failing to report an alleged sexual assault to the service police in July 2021. The second charge alleges that she misrepresented information provided by Jaysley Beck to another individual in the same month. Hook pleaded not guilty to a similar offense for not handling information from Gunner Beck seriously in July 2021.
The defendants were informed that they are scheduled to stand trial on September 14, with the location of the five-day trial yet to be determined. Another hearing for case management is set for June 23, during which several members of Gunner Beck’s family observed the proceedings.
According to the judge, Hook serves with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, while Shepherd, joining remotely from the United States, serves with the British Defence Staff. Gunner Beck’s mother, Leighann McCready, expressed discontent with the Army’s response post-inquest, highlighting concerns about systemic failures within the chain of command that led to her daughter’s death.
It was previously disclosed that Gunner Beck had reported the assault to Army authorities twice, but the incidents were not reported to the police as required. Webber, who was married with children, received only minor administrative action despite Gunner Beck’s complaints. Tragically, Gunner Beck was found dead in the barracks on December 15, 2021.
McCready emphasized that the lack of proper procedures in the Army led to her daughter’s demise and expressed ongoing efforts to seek justice and prevent similar tragedies in the future. Both the inquest into Gunner Beck’s death and Webber’s court-martial revealed details of the assault and subsequent handling of the situation within the military ranks.
