(LONDON,January 30,2026) – Two British army officers are facing criminal charges related to the handling of the sexual assault case involving Jaysley Beck,a soldier who died by suicide after reporting the assault.
- Two serving officers, Maj James Hook and Col Samantha Shepherd, have been charged with offences relating to harming military discipline.
- The charges stem from the handling of the case of Jaysley Beck, a Royal Artillery Gunner who took her own life five months after being sexually assaulted.
- Former sergeant major Michael Webber was previously sentenced to six months in prison for the assault.
Two serving British army officers are facing criminal charges over the handling of the case of sexual assault of Jaysley Beck, who later took her own life, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced Friday.
Beck, a Royal Artillery Gunner, was assaulted during a training exercise in Hampshire in July 2021, when she was 19, and died by suicide five months later. The service Prosecuting Authority – the equivalent of the Crown Prosecution Service for military personnel – has charged Maj James Hook and Col Samantha Shepherd with offences relating to harming military discipline,according to the MoD.
The Charges
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The MoD confirmed that following an examination by the Defence Serious Crime Command, the two individuals have been charged under section 19 of the Armed forces Act, which concerns conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline. “It would be inappropriate to comment further as legal proceedings are ongoing,” the MoD stated.
Maj Hook and Col Shepherd both gave evidence at the inquest into Beck’s death and will now face court martial, it is understood.
The Assault and Initial Response
Former sergeant major Michael Webber, who has as left the army, was sentenced to six months in prison in October for sexually assaulting Beck. Webber engaged beck in a drinking game before touching her thigh and attempting to kiss her. Beck pushed him away and spent the night locked in her car before reporting the incident to her superiors the following morning.
However, the incident was not reported to police, and Webber wrote a letter of apology to Beck. He was later promoted, according to reports.
Changes Following Beck’s Death
Since Beck’s death, the MoD has implemented several changes, including the establishment of a serious crime command and the launch of a violence against women and girls taskforce. The MoD has also agreed in principle to remove the handling of serious complaints from the individual services.
“Following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command, we can confirm two individuals have been charged with offences under section 19 of the Armed Forces Act (conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline),” the MoD said in a statement.
Last updated January 30,2026.
