Taking their time about it....
Ex-sergeant major admits sexually assaulting soldier who took her own life
Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, who was 19, was found dead in her barracks at Larkhill in Wiltshire on 15 December 2021.
She had filed a complaint against Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber after he pinned her down and tried to kiss her at a work social event.
An inquest into Gunner Beck's death earlier this year determined the Army's handling of the complaint played "more than a minimal contributory part in her death".
Webber, who has since left the Army, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault at a pre-trial hearing last Friday. He is now awaiting sentencing.
In a statement, Gunner Beck's mother, Leighann McCready, said: "We are relieved that Michael Webber has admitted his guilt and not put us through the trauma of yet more legal proceedings, but nothing can undo the devastating loss of our beautiful daughter Jaysley."
Gunner Beck, who was originally from Oxen Park in Cumbria, reported the assault despite attempts by superiors to persuade her not to. Her mother said she had done "everything right".
"She reported the assault immediately, not once but twice."
She said the Army's chain of command had failed her daughter by not reporting the sexual assault to the police.
"If they had done that one simple thing, we believe with all our hearts she would still be with us today," she added.
Michael Webber pleaded guilty to sexual assault against teenage soldier Jaysley Beck, who was left traumatised by the incident.
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