A teenage soldier killed herself after being sexually harassed by her boss who sent her more than 3,500 WhatsApp messages in a month, an army report has found….CONTINUE READING...CONTINUE READING
Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire in December 2021.
A service inquiry report published on Wednesday describes “an intense period of unwelcome behaviour” by her immediate line manager.
In October 2021, her boss sent her more than 1,000 WhatsApp messages and voicemails, which increased to over 3,500 the following month.
The Army’s service inquiry investigation found her boss wanted a relationship with her, but this was not reciprocated.
The report’s investigatory panel said: “Whilst this behaviour ended the week before her death, it appears that it continued to affect her and had taken a significant toll on her mental resilience and wellbeing.”
They added: “It is almost certain that this was a causal factor in her death.”
Another causal factor to Gnr Beck’s death was attributed to her “struggling to come to terms with the death of her uncle”, as well as having previously described “other family problems to friends which were affecting her”.
Other contributory factors included a “secret” relationship with a married senior non-commissioned officer that was likely to have “affected her state of mind” and placed a “significant strain” on her. It also referenced a difficult long-term relationship with a bombardier, which others said had “significantly eroded” her self-confidence and esteem.
Lastly, the report found Gnr Beck displayed “an unhealthy approach to alcohol”. The night before her death, on Dec 14 2021, she attended a party in her accommodation block in Larkhill, where she “consumed significant quantities of alcohol”. The report found this would have “affected her decision-making ability that night”.
It states that she was seen to be “visibly upset” in the early hours of the following morning and her body was found later that day in her room by concerned friends.
The report also added that Gnr Beck had no diagnosed mental health conditions and had not sought welfare support from anyone in the Army.
Regarding inappropriate sexual behaviour by male soldiers towards their female colleagues at Larkhill, the report found this to be “commonplace amongst a significant minority of soldiers”.
It said measures to tackle this kind of behaviour were introduced as part of a new policy for the Armed Forces in November 2022.
The Telegraph understands that her death is being investigated by both the civilian and service police.
With regards to the intense messaging by Gnr Beck’s line manager, her mother, Leighann McCready, said: “It’s easy for people to say why don’t you block him, you’ve got to have respect for those above you and Jaysley did have respect, it wasn’t as straightforward as you can block your boss.
“She didn’t particularly want to cause any upset on his side. She was the kind of person who put others before herself.”
Ms McCready, of Oxen Park in Cumbria, said her daughter would ring the family, saying his behaviour was becoming “increasingly worrying towards her”.
She added: “It was very apparent how it emotionally affected her. It took its toll on Jaysley; she was a very strong character, so for Jaysley to cry, there was something really hurting her feelings.”
In response to the report, Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, said: “In all walks of life whenever abuse takes place, but particularly in the British military, and the brave men and women put themselves forward to serve the country, that kind of behaviour would have no part at all in the British military.”
Emma Norton, the family’s lawyer, from the Centre for Military Justice, said: “It is hugely significant that the Army has admitted that this sexual harassment was a causative factor in her death.
“If there is one silver lining in this awful situation it is the fact that the Army has accepted that at this relatively early stage. I don’t think that would have happened a few years ago.
“The Army still has a systemic problem with misogyny and sexism. It’s taking steps to address this but they don’t go nearly far enough.”
An Army spokesman said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Gunner Jaysley-Louise Beck’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“The circumstances surrounding Gunner Beck’s death, including the cause, are still to be determined by the coroner.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further until the coroner’s inquest has been completed….CONTINUE READING
