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An ex- Army sergeant major has been sentenced to six months in jail for committing sexual assault against a teenage servicewoman who later died by suicide.

Warrant Officer the former sergeant, 43, restrained service member the young woman and tried to kiss her in July 2021. She was discovered deceased several months after in her military accommodation at Larkhill, Wiltshire.

The defendant, who was judged at the Court Martial Centre in Wiltshire recently, will be sent to a correctional facility and on the sex offenders register for a seven-year period.

The victim's mother the mother remarked: "His actions, and how the armed forces neglected to defend our young woman following the incident, resulted in her suicide."

Official Reaction

The Army said it did not listen to the soldier, who was hailing from the Cumbrian village, when she disclosed the incident and has said sorry for its management of her allegations.

Following an investigation of the tragic death, the defendant admitted to the offense of unwanted sexual advance in last fall.

The grieving parent said her child ought to have been sitting with her relatives in court now, "to observe the person she accused brought to justice for the assault."

"Rather, we are present without her, enduring endless sorrow that no loved ones should be forced to endure," she added.

"She complied with procedures, but those responsible didn't follow theirs. These shortcomings broke our young woman utterly."

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Judicial Process

The judicial body was informed that the incident happened during an adventure training exercise at Thorney Island, near Hampshire's Emsworth, in mid-2021.

Webber, a Sergeant Major at the moment, attempted physical intimacy towards the soldier after an alcohol consumption while on assignment for a field training.

The victim claimed Webber stated he had been "anticipating an opportunity for them to be alone" before making physical contact, restraining her, and trying to kiss her.

She reported the incident against Webber subsequent to the violation, regardless of pressure by superiors to convince her against reporting.

An official inquiry into her suicide found the Army's handling of the allegations played "more than a minimal contributory part in her demise."

Family Statement

In a statement presented to the tribunal during proceedings, the parent, expressed: "The young woman had only become 19 and will forever remain a youth full of life and laughter."

"She had faith authorities to protect her and after what he did, the trust was lost. She was deeply distressed and scared of the accused."

"I witnessed the change personally. She felt powerless and betrayed. That assault shattered her trust in the set-up that was meant to safeguard her."

Court Ruling

While delivering judgment, The judicial officer the magistrate said: "We need to assess whether it can be addressed in a different manner. We are not convinced it can."

"We have determined the seriousness of the offence means it can only be addressed by prison time."

He addressed Webber: "The servicewoman had the strength and intelligence to demand you halt and told you to leave the area, but you carried on to the degree she considered she could not feel secure from you even when she returned to her personal quarters."

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

"After the complaint, the unit decided to address your behavior with minor administrative action."

"You underwent questioning and you accepted your conduct had been unacceptable. You prepared a letter of apology."

"Your military service continued unimpeded and you were in due course elevated to higher rank."

Additional Context

At the inquest into Gunner Beck's death, the official examiner said military leadership influenced her to cease proceedings, and just informed it to a superior officers "when the cat was already out of the bag."

At the time, the accused was given a "minor administrative action interview" with no additional penalties.

The investigation was also told that just weeks after the violation the servicewoman had additionally been facing "persistent mistreatment" by another soldier.

A separate service member, her line manager, transmitted to her numerous digital communications expressing emotions for her, in addition to a 15-page "romantic narrative" detailing his "fantasies about her."

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Official Statement

The Army said it extended its "heartfelt apologies" to the servicewoman and her loved ones.

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

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