Two officers to face court martial over response to Jaysley Beck sexual assault case

Two Army officers have been charged over their handling of a case of sexual assault of Gunner Jaysley Beck, who later took her own life. 

It is understood that Major James Hook and Colonel Samatha Shepherd will face a court martial relating to the 19-year-old, who was found hanged in her barracks in Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire, in 2021. 

An MOD spokesman said on Friday: "Following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command, we can confirm two individuals have been charged with offences under Section 19, Armed Forces Act (conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline)."

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"It would be inappropriate to comment further as legal proceedings are ongoing."

Last year, 43-year-old Michael Webber was jailed for six months by a military court after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting Gnr Beck five months before her death. 

An earlier inquest into her death heard the Army's handling of her complaint had played "more than a minimal contributory part into her death".

The Army has previously apologised, saying it was "profoundly sorry" for the failings identified at the inquest. 

Following the inquest, Gnr Beck's family wrote to the head of the Army, General Sir Roly Walker, to point out the "multiple Army failings in the Chain of Command" and to request further action.

Leighann McCready, Gnr Beck's mother, said the family are "relieved" to have reached this stage, where two individuals have been charged.

She added: "It wouldn't be appropriate to comment further on the latest court cases until they are over.

"But we can say we remain very unhappy with other parts of the Army's response."

The MOD has since set up a serious crime command and launched a violence against women task force. More recently, it has agreed in principle to remove the handling of serious complaints from the individual services.