A chilling phone call made by a 19-year-old soldier a few months before her death was presented at an inquest.
In December 2021, Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck was found dead at her base in Wiltshire, UK. The inquest was informed that she had been ‘scared’ by her ‘psychotic and possessive’ superior.
According to Sky News, Gunner Beck felt ‘trapped’ and ‘unsafe’ in her workplace, allegedly due to Bombardier Ryan Mason, and was concerned that he had accessed her mobile phone without her consent.
An inquiry report released in October 2023 highlighted ‘an intense period of unwelcome behavior’ and concluded that it was ‘almost certain this was a causal factor’ in her death, as reported by Sky News.
The inquest also revealed that Gunner Beck had filed a complaint against Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber during a stay at Thorney Island, near Emsworth in Hampshire, in July 2021 while participating in an adventure training exercise.
At the hearing, Lance Bombardier Kirsty Davis, who was training alongside Gunner Beck at the time, recounted receiving a call from her friend in the early hours.
Gunner Beck reportedly told Lance Bombardier Davis, “something happened that night, they were all having a few drinks, someone tried it on with her.”
According to Lance Bombardier Davis’s statement, “He was trying to kiss her and she was trying to push him away, he was pinning her down.”
Lance Bombardier Davis explained that she was on a ‘sleeping guard’ duty at another airfield location and had 20 missed calls from Gunner Beck before connecting with her.
She mentioned that Gunner Beck was reluctant to end the call and wanted it to continue ‘all night’.
“I think she was afraid he was going to come to the car,” said Lance Bombardier Davis, noting, “I remember him saying she was amazing and beautiful. I know this because Jaysley hated compliments and it made her feel awkward.”
She further claimed that her friend said he ‘tried to force himself on her more than once, a few times. Jaysley had told him no, tried to get away from him but he had persisted so she left’.
Lance Bombardier Davis added, “I do not know if he actually kissed her or tried to, I do not remember if Jaysley said he had touched her or not.
“Jaysley was in tears, she was upset. I think she was just frightened at what was going on and she was crying, just a little bit.”
The inquest revealed that Webber issued an apology letter to Gunner Beck and faced a ‘minor sanction’ following her complaint.
In her statement, Lance Bombardier Davis said, “Jaysley wasn’t happy with what had happened but if you are in the Army and a lower rank, no-one will believe you, especially against a higher rank.
“She didn’t want to get into trouble or cause a drama.”
The inquest is still in progress.