Soldier found dead after thousands of messages from NCO, inquest hears

A young Royal Artillery soldier was found dead after she became scared by the "psychotic and possessive" behaviour of an NCO who sent her thousands of messages, an inquest has heard.

Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on 15 December 2021.

An Army service inquiry report published in October 2023 described an "intense period of unwelcome behaviour", and said it was almost certain this was a causal factor in the death of the 19-year-old.

Gnr Beck's mother, Leighann McCready, told the inquest her daughter did not feel safe as the situation involving Bombardier Ryan Mason intensified.

The hearing in Salisbury was shown a series of WhatsApp messages between Gnr Beck and Bdr Mason between October and December 2021.

Ms McCready said her daughter had provided support to Bdr Mason, whom she said had mental health issues.

In one message to Gnr Beck, he wrote: "Love you Jayse. As a friend." And on 27 October he wrote: "I'm renaming you in my phone as the magician."

Then on 11 November, his message said: "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."

On 25 November, Gnr Beck wrote back to him, saying: "This whole falling in love with me, it's becoming a bit too much, I have just come out of a relationship and I'm just not wanting to be involved in anything like this.

"It's weighing me down a little bit, I'll be totally honest with you. Totally honest here, I just don't want to hear how you feel about me."

Ms McCready said her daughter had received 3,600 messages from Mr Mason in the month of November.

"Ryan Mason was overstepping the mark of her friendliness and her nature, this was Jayse's impression and she made us aware that he is becoming a creep," she said.

In another message, Gnr Beck said she feared Bdr Mason was watching her.

The hearing was also told that Gnr Beck had complained of being assaulted by a sergeant who put his hand between her legs while on a team-building stay at Thorney Island in Hampshire in July 2021.

Ms McCready said her daughter had been too afraid to return to her room that night and slept in her car.

The hearing continues.

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