Ex- Sergeant Major Jailed for Sexual Assault on 19-Year-Old Servicewoman

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An ex- service sergeant has been given six months in jail for committing sexual assault against a teenage servicewoman who later took her own life.

Warrant Officer the former sergeant, 43, pinned down soldier the young woman and sought to make physical contact in July 2021. She was discovered deceased half a year following in her quarters at the Wiltshire base.

The convicted individual, who was judged at the military court in Wiltshire earlier, will be placed in a correctional facility and on the sexual offenders list for seven years.

The family matriarch Ms. Mcready commented: "The assault, and how the military did not safeguard our daughter afterwards, cost Jaysley her life."

Official Reaction

The armed forces stated it did not listen to the soldier, who was originally from Oxen Park in Cumbria, when she reported the assault and has apologised for its response to her report.

Subsequent to a formal inquiry regarding the soldier's suicide, the accused pleaded guilty to a single charge of unwanted sexual advance in last fall.

The grieving parent commented her daughter could have been present with her loved ones in legal proceedings today, "to witness the person she filed against facing consequences for his actions."

"Instead, we appear without her, living a life sentence that no family should be forced to endure," she added.

"She followed the rules, but the individuals in charge didn't follow theirs. These shortcomings destroyed our daughter utterly."

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Court Proceedings

The legal tribunal was told that the incident occurred during an field exercise at Thorney Island, near the Hampshire area, in summer 2021.

Webber, a Sergeant Major at the period, made a sexual advance towards the servicewoman after an social gathering while on duty for a field training.

The servicewoman stated the sergeant remarked he had been "anticipating an opportunity for them to be in private" before making physical contact, holding her against her will, and attempting to force intimacy.

She reported the incident against Webber after the assault, notwithstanding efforts by superiors to convince her against reporting.

A formal investigation into her death found the Army's handling of the report played "more than a minimal contributory part in her suicide."

Parent's Account

In a statement presented to the court earlier, the parent, stated: "She had just turned 19 and will always be a young person full of life and laughter."

"She had faith people to defend her and after what he did, the trust was shattered. She was very upset and terrified of Michael Webber."

"I observed the transformation before my own eyes. She felt vulnerable and abandoned. That incident shattered her trust in the structure that was meant to safeguard her."

Judge's Statement

While delivering judgment, The judicial officer Alan Large said: "We need to assess whether it can be dealt with in another way. We do not believe it can."

"We conclude the severity of the offence means it can only be resolved by immediate custody."

He spoke to the convicted individual: "The victim had the bravery and wisdom to tell you to stop and told you to leave the area, but you carried on to the degree she felt she would remain in danger from you despite the fact she returned to her own accommodation."

He added: "The next morning, she reported the incident to her loved ones, her friends and her chain of command."

"Following the report, the military unit decided to deal with you with light disciplinary measures."

"You were subject to inquiry and you admitted your actions had been improper. You prepared a written apology."

"Your military service proceeded without interruption and you were eventually elevated to higher rank."

Background Information

At the investigation into the soldier's suicide, the coroner said military leadership influenced her to cease proceedings, and merely disclosed it to a higher command "when the cat was already out of the bag."

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

The inquiry was further advised that mere weeks after the assault the servicewoman had also been exposed to "relentless harassment" by another soldier.

A separate service member, her line manager, directed toward her over four thousand six hundred text messages expressing emotions for her, along with a fifteen-page "love story" outlining his "fantasies about her."

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Official Statement

The armed forces stated it offered its "sincerest condolences" to the servicewoman and her relatives.

"We will always be profoundly sorry for the deficiencies that were identified at the official inquiry in early this year."

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