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Family Snapshot

A former military sergeant has been ordered to serve half a year in jail for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old soldier who subsequently took her own life.

Sergeant Major the former sergeant, in his forties, restrained Royal Artillery Gunner the young woman and attempted to kiss her in July 2021. She was discovered deceased five months later in her military accommodation at Larkhill military installation.

Webber, who was judged at the military court in Wiltshire earlier, will be transferred to a correctional facility and on the sexual offenders list for seven years.

The family matriarch Ms. Mcready stated: "What he [Webber] did, and how the armed forces failed to protect our young woman afterwards, led to her death."

Military Response

The Army stated it failed to hear Gunner Beck, who was originally from Cumbria's Oxen Park, when she filed the complaint and has said sorry for its response to her report.

Following an inquest into the tragic death, the accused admitted to one count of sexual assault in last fall.

The grieving parent stated her child could have been present with her loved ones in the courtroom now, "to observe the person she filed against facing consequences for the assault."

"Instead, we are present in her absence, enduring endless sorrow that no loved ones should ever experience," she continued.

"She complied with procedures, but those responsible neglected their responsibilities. These shortcomings destroyed our daughter utterly."

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Judicial Process

The legal tribunal was advised that the incident took place during an field exercise at Thorney Island, near Hampshire's Emsworth, in summer 2021.

Webber, a senior officer at the time, attempted physical intimacy towards Gunner Beck subsequent to an alcohol consumption while on deployment for a field training.

The servicewoman claimed the sergeant stated he had been "waiting for a moment for them to be by themselves" before grabbing her leg, holding her against her will, and attempting to force intimacy.

She reported the incident against Webber after the incident, despite attempts by superiors to persuade her not to.

A formal investigation into her passing found the armed forces' response of the allegations played "an important contributing factor in her suicide."

Family Statement

In a account presented to the judicial body during proceedings, the mother, stated: "She had recently celebrated 19 and will forever remain a youth full of energy and happiness."

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

"I witnessed the difference before my own eyes. She felt powerless and betrayed. That assault broke her confidence in the system that was meant to look after her."

Judge's Statement

While delivering judgment, The presiding judge the magistrate remarked: "We must evaluate whether it can be handled in an alternative approach. We are not convinced it can."

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

He told the convicted individual: "The victim had the bravery and wisdom to instruct you to cease and instructed you to retire for the night, but you persisted to the point she felt she wouldn't be safe from you despite the fact she retreated to her assigned barracks."

He stated further: "The following day, she reported the incident to her relatives, her companions and her chain of command."

"Following the report, the unit chose to handle the situation with light disciplinary measures."

"You were subject to inquiry and you accepted your actions had been unacceptable. You composed a written apology."

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

Further Details

At the investigation into the soldier's suicide, the coroner said Capt James Hook put pressure on her to drop the allegations, and merely disclosed it to a higher command "after information had leaked."

At the time, the sergeant was given a "minimal consequence discussion" with no further consequences.

The investigation was additionally informed that only a short time after the incident Gunner Beck had further been subjected to "relentless harassment" by another soldier.

A separate service member, her commanding individual, sent her numerous text messages confessing his feelings for her, along with a multi-page "love story" describing his "personal thoughts."

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Organizational Reaction

The military leadership expressed it provided its "deepest sympathies" to the soldier and her family.

"We continue to be deeply apologetic for the deficiencies that were noted at the formal investigation in February."

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