Officer accused of trying to kiss teenage soldier refuses questions at her inquest

A senior officer accused of pinning down and attempting to kiss a teenage soldier has declined to answer questions about the incident at her inquest.

- CLAIRE HAYHURST

Jaysley Beck, 19, a Royal Artillery Gunner, made a complaint against Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber, now of Warrant Officer Class 1 rank, during a stay at Thorney Island, near Emsworth in Hampshire, in July 2021. Gunner Beck claimed WO1 Webber told her he had been “waiting for a moment for them to be alone” and had engaged her in a drinking game called Last Man Standing before grabbing her leg and trying to kiss her.

Salisbury Coroner’s Court heard Gunner Beck pushed the senior officer away and left the room before phoning a friend, having been “frightened” that W01 Webber, then aged 39, would come “looking for her”. The inquest was told Gunner Beck was “crying” and locked herself in her car that night before making a complaint to her superiors in the morning.

WO1 Webber later received a minor administrative action and wrote a letter of apology to Gunner Beck, which was handdelivered to her by her senior line manager, Major Richard Lupton. Yesterday, WO1 Webber gave evidence to Gunner Beck’s inquest, which is being heard before assistant coroner Nicholas Rheinberg.

After being sworn as a witness, the coroner told WO1 Webber he did not have to answer questions if he believed his response could incriminate him. WO1 Webber confirmed he had encountered Gunner Beck professionally before she went on the five-day adventure training package on Thorney Island.

The coroner asked: “Over your time at Thorney Island, did you encounter Gunner Beck – giving the same warning?” WO1 Webber replied: “Decline to answer.” The witness confirmed he had written a letter of apology to Gunner Beck and that the letter’s content was true.

The coroner asked: “You will see in the letter you describe your behaviour as ‘absolutely unacceptable’ – same warning – what was your behaviour?” WO1 Webber replied: “Decline to answer.”