Jaysley Beck case: Two British Army officers to face Court Martial over handling of sexual assault complaint
Jaysley was described as “kind, caring” and “always putting others before herself”.
Two serving British Army officers are set to face a court martial over their handling of a sexual assault complaint made by Gunner Jaysley Beck, a teenage soldier who later died in 2021. The charges mark a significant development in a case that has come to symbolize wider concerns about how the military addresses sexual violence and safeguards young service members.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that the officers have been charged under Section 19 of the Armed Forces Act, which covers conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline. The announcement follows years of criticism from Beck’s family, a damning inquest, and mounting pressure for systemic reform within the armed forces.
Who Was Jaysley Beck?
Jaysley Beck was a Royal Artillery gunner, originally from Oxen Park in Cumbria, who joined the British Army as a teenager. In July 2021, when she was 19, Beck reported that she had been sexually assaulted during a training exercise in Hampshire.
Five months later, she was found dead at her barracks in Larkhill, Wiltshire. An inquest into her death later concluded that the Army’s handling of her complaint had played “more than a minimal contributory part” in what followed.
Sexual Assault Conviction of Senior NCO
In October 2025, former Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber was sentenced to six months in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting Beck. Evidence showed that the assault followed a drinking game during a training exercise.
Despite Beck reporting the incident to her superiors the following morning, the case was not referred to civilian police at the time. Webber later wrote a letter of apology and was subsequently promoted, decisions that drew sharp criticism during the inquest.
Officers Charged Over Handling of the Case
The Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA), the military equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service, has now charged Major James Hook and Colonel Samantha Shepherd, both of whom were in Beck’s chain of command and aware of her complaint before her death.
Both officers previously gave evidence at the inquest. They are now expected to face a court martial, a rare but serious step that underscores the gravity of the findings against the Army’s internal processes.
In a statement, the MoD said it would be “inappropriate to comment further as legal proceedings are ongoing.”
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Family Reaction and Calls for Accountability
Beck’s mother, Leighann McCready, said the family felt relieved that progress had finally been made, more than four years after their daughter’s death.
Following the inquest, the family formally wrote to the head of the Army, General Sir Roly Walker, calling for further action against those responsible for how the complaint was handled. Campaigners say the court martial represents an overdue acknowledgement of institutional failure.
Wider Impact on the British Army
The case has triggered broader scrutiny of sexual harassment and assault within the UK military. Surveys suggest that a significant proportion of women serving in the armed forces report experiencing harassment.
In response, the MoD has:
- Established a Defence Serious Crime Command
- Launched a violence against women and girls taskforce
- Agreed in principle to remove the handling of serious complaints from individual service chains of command
Critics argue that the Jaysley Beck case highlights the urgency of these reforms and raises questions about whether they go far enough.
What Happens Next
The court martial proceedings will determine whether the officers breached military discipline and failed in their duty of care. The outcome could set an important precedent for how the armed forces handle future complaints and accountability at senior levels.
As the legal process unfolds, Jaysley Beck’s case continues to resonate across the UK, shaping debate about military culture, justice, and the protection of young soldiers.
FAQ
Who was Jaysley Beck?
Jaysley Beck was a 19-year-old Royal Artillery gunner who reported being sexually assaulted during a training exercise in 2021 and later died in her barracks.
What happened in the Jaysley Beck case?
Beck reported a sexual assault by a senior non-commissioned officer. The Army’s handling of her complaint was later criticised by a coroner.
Who has been charged over the case?
Major James Hook and Colonel Samantha Shepherd have been charged under the Armed Forces Act and will face a court martial.
Why is the British Army under scrutiny?
The case exposed failures in how sexual assault complaints were handled and raised concerns about accountability and culture within the military.
What reforms has the MoD introduced since?
The MoD has created a serious crime command, launched a violence-against-women taskforce, and agreed to shift serious complaints away from unit command.
What is a court martial?
A court martial is a military court that tries members of the armed forces for offences under military law.
