THE Army’s handling of a young soldier’s sexual assault claim before she took her own life played a part in her death, a coroner ruled.
Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck was discovered dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on December 15, 2021.
Jaysley Beck was discovered dead on her Army base
SolentShe had allegedly been pinned down by a senior colleague[/caption]
The 19-year-old had been the victim of a campaign of harassment from her boss, Bombardier Ryan Mason.
She was also allegedly targeted by a senior colleague, Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber, in July 2021.
An inquest heard how Jaysley had called another colleague in tears claiming Webber had pinned her down and tried to kiss her.
Nicholas Rheinberg, assistant coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, today ruled Jaysley died by suicide following the alleged assault.
He added: “She was sufficiently terrified to flee the scene (after an incident), hide in the toilets, take refuge in the car and remain on the phone (to her colleague).”
The coroner also said the Army’s handling of the incident “played more than a minimal contributory part in her death”.
Mr Rheinberg said the complaint “should have been reported to police and the failure to do so breached Army policy”.
He found there was an “arguable case” that the Army had breached Jaysley’s right to life under the Human Rights Act.
The coroner said this was due to the failure from officers to take action over the “barrage” of messages from Mason and the lack of a full probe into her claims against Webber.
Mr Rheinberg added: “The failure to report was a systemic failure, the system was insufficiently robust.”
The court was told Webber received a minor sanction on his record but was still promoted to Warrant Officer 1 rank in May 2022.
Jaysley had filed a complaint but details of the offence were omitted and a “miscommunication” meant improper legal advice was given.
He later wrote a letter of apology to Jaysley describing his behaviour as “absolutely unacceptable”.
The incident took place at an adventure training exercise at Thorney Island, near Emsworth in Hampshire.
Jaysley claimed Webber told her he was waiting for a moment for them to “be alone” then engaged in a drinking game.
She said he then grabbed her leg and tried to kiss her – despite her begging no, the court was told.
An Army service inquiry report said previously this was “possibly a factor that may have influenced her failure to report other events that happened subsequently”.
The inquest heard Jaysley was also subjected to an “intense period of unwelcome behaviour” from Bombardier Ryan Mason.
She received thousands of messages from him and described him as being “psychotic and possessive”.
In November alone – the month before Jaysley’s death – she received 3,600 messages from her senior colleague.
In one, he told her: “You’re amazing Jayse, I appreciate you so much, I love everything about you, even your flaws.
“I will always be there along for the ride with you, I have said it before but you’re stuck with me forever now. I love you x As a friend, I love you.”
Jaysley’s mum Leighann McCready told the court her daughter felt that Mason was “overstepping the mark of her friendliness” and was becoming a “creep”.
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
The previous Army report outlined three “contributory factors” to Jaysley’s death – including the “significant strain” of a sexual relationship with a married colleague in the last few weeks of her life.
It also said that family issues, including a bereavement, were possibly a factor, as well as the breakdown of a relationship in November 2021.
The third mentioned an “unhealthy approach to alcohol, with episodes of binge drinking”.
It added that Jaysley had no diagnosed mental health conditions and had not sought welfare support from anyone in the Army.
Brigadier Melissa Emmett, head of the Army personnel services group, said the force formally accepted failures were made.
She added: “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.”
Mason denied he had tried to “manipulate” Jaysley by talking about his own mental health and suicide concerns, while Webber, who is married, declined to answer questions at the inquest.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
SolentJaysley had called her colleague in tears after the alleged assault[/caption]
PAShe was also subjected to an “intense period of unwelcome behaviour” from another colleague[/caption]
MEN MediaShe feared her boss Bombardier Ryan Mason had hacked her phone[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
