Two officers are facing military charges after allegations that they mishandled a sexual assault complaint made by a young recruit who later died by suicide, a court in North Yorkshire has heard.

Colonel Samantha Shepherd and Major James Hook stand accused of failing Gunner Jaysley Beck, who was 19 at the time of the incident. Beck reported being sexually assaulted by Warrant Officer Michael Webber during a training exercise on Thorney Island, West Sussex, in July 2021. According to testimony, Webber, 43, attempted to kiss Beck and made inappropriate contact with her leg at a social event connected to the Royal Artillery regiment’s adventure training.

Beck disclosed the incident to Major Hook the following morning. Rather than taking immediate disciplinary action or involving the service police, Hook allegedly gave Beck a midday deadline to confirm whether she wished to proceed with a formal complaint. Prosecutor Commander Paul Patterson told the court Hook discouraged Beck from making a complaint, warning her that Webber was likely to face trouble if she proceeded. Patterson said Hook’s behaviour appeared to stem from skepticism about Beck’s account and her reluctance to be on the training exercise. Hook also reportedly left the base to go kitesurfing before passing the matter along through the chain of command.

Colonel Shepherd, who was responsible for bringing the incident to the attention of the officer overseeing discipline, is accused of withholding key information about the assault. The court heard that when Captain Mae King, tasked with enforcing discipline, asked if there had been any physical contact, Shepherd allegedly denied that the inappropriate touching of Beck’s leg had occurred. As a result, Webber was initially subjected to minor administrative penalties rather than facing a formal investigation by the service police.

Shepherd later stated that she believed she had disclosed all relevant details but could not be certain and denied deliberately trying to keep the matter confined within the unit. Both Shepherd and Hook deny charges of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline under Section 19 of the Armed Forces Act 2006.

Gunner Beck took her own life in December 2021, several months after the incident. The trial is ongoing.