Ex- Sergeant Sentenced for Sexual Offense on 19-Year-Old Servicewoman

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A former service sergeant has been sentenced to half a year in jail for attacking a 19-year-old soldier who subsequently died by suicide.

Sergeant Major the former sergeant, in his forties, pinned down service member the young woman and sought to make physical contact in mid-2021. She was found dead half a year following in her quarters at the Wiltshire base.

Webber, who was judged at the Court Martial Centre in Wiltshire recently, will be sent to a civilian prison and registered as offender database for seven years.

The victim's mother the mother commented: "The assault, and how the Army did not safeguard our daughter subsequently, led to her death."

Official Reaction

The armed forces acknowledged it failed to hear Gunner Beck, who was hailing from Oxen Park in Cumbria, when she filed the complaint and has expressed regret for its management of her report.

Following an investigation of the tragic death, Webber confessed to a single charge of unwanted sexual advance in September.

The mother stated her child could have been present with her relatives in legal proceedings now, "to observe the individual she reported held accountable for what he did."

"Rather, we appear in her absence, enduring endless sorrow that no relatives should ever have to face," she stated further.

"She adhered to protocols, but the accountable parties failed in their duties. Such negligence destroyed our daughter totally."

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Legal Hearing

The court was advised that the incident took place during an military training at Thorney Island, near Hampshire's Emsworth, in mid-2021.

The accused, a Sergeant Major at the period, made a sexual advance towards the soldier subsequent to an social gathering while on assignment for a military exercise.

The victim testified the accused said he had been "waiting for a moment for them to be by themselves" before making physical contact, holding her against her will, and trying to kiss her.

She filed a complaint against the sergeant following the assault, despite attempts by superiors to persuade her not to.

An inquest into her death found the military's management of the complaint played "more than a minimal contributory part in her demise."

Mother's Testimony

In a statement shared to the judicial body during proceedings, Ms McCready, said: "Our daughter had just turned a teenager and will always be a young person full of life and laughter."

"She believed individuals to defend her and following the assault, the faith was lost. She was very upset and fearful of Michael Webber."

"I observed the change personally. She felt helpless and deceived. That assault broke her faith in the system that was meant to look after her."

Judge's Statement

When announcing the verdict, The judicial officer the magistrate remarked: "We need to assess whether it can be dealt with in another way. We are not convinced it can."

"We are satisfied the gravity of the crime means it can only be dealt with by prison time."

He told the defendant: "She had the bravery and wisdom to instruct you to cease and directed you to go to bed, but you carried on to the extent she believed she wouldn't be safe from you even when she retreated to her assigned barracks."

He added: "The next morning, she made the complaint to her loved ones, her acquaintances and her commanding officers."

"After the complaint, the command opted to handle the situation with minimal consequences."

"You were subject to inquiry and you admitted your behavior had been unacceptable. You composed a letter of apology."

"Your professional path continued unimpeded and you were subsequently advanced to Warrant Officer 1."

Background Information

At the investigation into the tragic passing, the coroner said Capt James Hook put pressure on her to cease proceedings, and merely disclosed it to a superior officers "after information had leaked."

At the moment, the accused was given a "minor administrative action interview" with no further consequences.

The inquest was also told that just weeks after the incident Gunner Beck had also been exposed to "persistent mistreatment" by another soldier.

Bombardier Ryan Mason, her superior officer, directed toward her over four thousand six hundred digital communications expressing emotions for her, accompanied by a multi-page "love story" describing his "fantasies about her."

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Organizational Reaction

The Army said it offered its "sincerest condolences" to the soldier and her relatives.

"We continue to be sincerely regretful for the failings that were identified at the official inquiry in February."

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