MoD pays £12m to victims of sex attacks

Shock new figures emerge as Army blasted for failure over tragic Jaysley

- By Matthew Davis

THE MINISTRY of Defence has paid out £12million in compensation to dozens of victims of sex attacks by members of the armed forces.

Newly released figures for the past six years showed payments of £8.7million to 125 civilians raped or assaulted. Another £3.3million went to 33 servicewomen or men raped or attacked by fellow personnel during the same period.

It comes after a coroner last week ruled Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, took her own life after, "on the balance of probabilities" she was sexually assaulted by her superior, Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber, at a work social.

The teenager was found hanged in her barracks at Larkhill Camp, Wilts, on December 15, 2021, after a Christmas party. Assistant Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg ruled she died by suicide and determined the Army's handling of the complaint she had filed played "more than a minimal contributory part in her death".

The Army said it "accepts the failings identified by the service inquiry".

Official records revealed the MoD has dealt with a slew of harassment, sexual assault and rape claims in recent years.