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Family Snapshot

An ex- military sergeant has been ordered to serve 180 days in jail for committing sexual assault against a 19-year-old soldier who afterwards took her own life.

Warrant Officer the former sergeant, 43, held down Royal Artillery Gunner the victim and tried to force a kiss on her in the summer of 2021. She was found dead several months after in her military accommodation at the Wiltshire base.

The defendant, who was judged at the military court in the Wiltshire region recently, will be sent to a correctional facility and registered as offender database for a seven-year period.

Gunner Beck's mother the mother remarked: "His actions, and how the armed forces neglected to defend our young woman afterwards, resulted in her suicide."

Official Reaction

The Army acknowledged it failed to hear Gunner Beck, who was originally from Oxen Park in Cumbria, when she filed the complaint and has said sorry for its response to her report.

Subsequent to an investigation of the tragic death, Webber admitted to one count of physical violation in the autumn.

The grieving parent commented her daughter ought to have been present with her relatives in the courtroom this day, "to see the man she reported facing consequences for the assault."

"Instead, we stand here without her, facing perpetual grief that no loved ones should ever experience," she stated further.

"She complied with procedures, but those responsible didn't follow theirs. Such negligence shattered our child utterly."

Press Association

Legal Hearing

The court was told that the incident happened during an adventure training exercise at the exercise site, near Emsworth in Hampshire, in mid-2021.

The sergeant, a senior officer at the moment, initiated inappropriate contact towards Gunner Beck following an evening of drinking while on duty for a field training.

The victim claimed Webber remarked he had been "anticipating an opportunity for them to be alone" before grabbing her leg, holding her against her will, and attempting to force intimacy.

She filed a complaint against the sergeant subsequent to the violation, notwithstanding efforts by commanding officers to discourage her.

A formal investigation into her death found the armed forces' response of the complaint played "more than a minimal role in her death."

Family Statement

In a statement read out to the judicial body during proceedings, the parent, stated: "Our daughter had only become 19 and will forever remain a young person full of life and laughter."

"She had faith people to defend her and after what he did, the trust was shattered. She was very upset and scared of Michael Webber."

"I saw the difference before my own eyes. She felt powerless and betrayed. That violation destroyed her trust in the system that was supposed to look after her."

Judge's Statement

While delivering judgment, Judge Advocate General the magistrate remarked: "We must evaluate whether it can be dealt with in another way. We do not believe it can."

"We have determined the gravity of the violation means it can only be dealt with by incarceration."

He addressed Webber: "She had the bravery and wisdom to instruct you to cease and instructed you to retire for the night, but you continued to the point she felt she wouldn't be safe from you even if she retreated to her assigned barracks."

He continued: "The following day, she made the complaint to her relatives, her friends and her commanding officers."

"After the complaint, the military unit opted to handle the situation with light disciplinary measures."

"You were interviewed and you admitted your behavior had been improper. You composed a written apology."

"Your military service advanced without interruption and you were in due course elevated to Warrant Officer 1."

Background Information

At the investigation into Gunner Beck's death, the investigating officer said Capt James Hook pressured her to drop the allegations, and merely disclosed it to a higher command "once details became known."

At the period, the sergeant was given a "minimal consequence discussion" with no additional penalties.

The inquiry was additionally informed that mere weeks after the assault the servicewoman had additionally been exposed to "relentless harassment" by another soldier.

Bombardier Ryan Mason, her commanding individual, sent her numerous text messages declaring attachments for her, along with a 15-page "love story" describing his "fantasies about her."

Family handout

Institutional Response

The Army expressed it offered its "heartfelt apologies" to the servicewoman and her relatives.

"We continue to be profoundly sorry for the failings that were noted at the official inquiry in February."

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