THE mother of a soldier who killed herself after being sexually assaulted has accused the Army of a “cover up”.
Leighann McCready blamed the MoD for Jaysley Beck’s death and called for outside organisations to investigate future complaints made by soldiers.
PAThe mother of Jaysley Beck, who killed herself after an alleged sexual assault by a senior officer, has accused the Army of a ‘cover up’[/caption]
PALeighann McCready, second from right, has blamed the MoD for her daughter’s death and demanded independent investigations into soldiers’ complaints[/caption]
Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley, 19, was found hanged in her barracks at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire, in December 2021.
After a nine-day inquest, Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg yesterday said Jaysley committed suicide following harassment by Bombardier Ryan Mason and sexual assault by Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber.
He condemned the Army for “systemic failure” in its handling of a complaint by Jaysley.
Ms McCready said: “I believe it was a cover-up. It’s been made clear through the findings the Army have failed our daughter.”
She added 700 male and female soldiers had told her about their own experiences since the inquest began.
Jaysley had filed a complaint against Webber after he “pinned her down” and tried to kiss her at a work social.
The inquest was also told she had been relentlessly harassed by Mason, her line manager.
Brigadier Melissa Emmett formally apologised on behalf of the Army and said it “should have done so much more to support and protect her”.
Jaysley Beck was discovered dead on her Army base
She had allegedly been pinned down by a senior colleagueSolent
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
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