A senior Army officer has been cleared of failing to properly address abuse allegations made by a teenage soldier who subsequently took her own life. On 16 September 2026, Col Samantha Shepherd received a not guilty verdict at Military Court Centre at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire following her trial concerning the handling of concerns raised by Gunner Jaysley Beck from Cumbria.
The 19-year-old died at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire on 15 December 2021 after being sexually assaulted by former Battery Sgt Michael Webber during a Royal Artillery adventure training exercise on Thorney Island in Chichester Harbour in July 2021. According to court records, Shepherd faced two separate allegations: failing to report the assault to service police and inaccurately reporting what Beck had disclosed to her.
A three-member board consisting of an Air Commodore, a Royal Navy captain and an Army colonel heard the case. Judge Advocate General Edward Legard directed the panel to return a not guilty verdict, stating:
"The Crown has concluded that there is insufficient evidence upon which you can safely convict Colonel Shepherd of the charge she faces."
Shepherd's legal representative Derek Johashen said his client was relieved by the decision and fully understood the impact on Beck's family.
"Her thoughts remain with them, and always will. She always believed Gunner Beck, took her complaint seriously, listened to her and cared."
What were the specific allegations?
According to earlier court reporting, Shepherd was accused of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline—a military rather than civilian criminal charge. The charges related to her handling of Beck's disclosure five months before the teenager's death. During trial proceedings on Tuesday, the military court heard claims that the 19-year-old had been "let down" when she informed Shepherd and Maj James Hook of conduct "enough to understand that she may have been sexually assaulted."
In her account to a coroner's inquest, Shepherd explained that she had not initially recognised the conduct as sexual assault and instead treated it as unwelcome or inappropriate contact. However, a coroner's inquest found that the handling of Beck's complaint played more than a minimal contributory part in her death and determined the matter should have been reported to police.
What happened to the alleged perpetrator?
In October, Michael Webber, the former Battery Sergeant who assaulted Beck, was sentenced to six months in jail for sexual assault. The attack occurred during the Royal Artillery adventure training exercise on Thorney Island in Chichester Harbour in July 2021, when Webber pinned Beck down and sexually assaulted her.
What about the other officer on trial?
Shepherd has been in court alongside Maj James Hook, whose trial continues. According to court records, Hook faced one charge alleging that on 13 July 2021 he did not handle Beck's disclosure with the seriousness it warranted. Evidence presented to the coroner indicated that Hook did not initiate any investigation, made assumptions about Beck's credibility, and pressured her to withdraw the allegation.
What have military leaders said?
Assistant Chief of General Staff Maj Gen Jon Swift acknowledged institutional failure, stating the Army was "sorry we didn't listen to Jaysley when she first reported her assault" and added: "We are determined to make sure the same mistakes don't happen again."
At the time of Beck's death, Minister for Veterans and People Louise Sandher-Jones MP described her passing as a "tragedy," emphasising: "Let me be clear, there is no place for criminal or unacceptable behaviours within the military."
What happens next?
Maj James Hook's trial remains ongoing. The case has drawn significant scrutiny regarding how the military handles sexual assault allegations and the duty of care owed to service personnel.
Key Facts
- Col Samantha Shepherd was acquitted on 16 September 2026 of failing to properly handle sexual assault allegations made by Gunner Jaysley Beck
- Beck, 19, died at Larkhill Camp on 15 December 2021, four months after reporting the assault to Shepherd and Maj James Hook
- Former Battery Sgt Michael Webber was jailed for six months in October for the sexual assault that occurred in July 2021
- A coroner's inquest found the mishandling of Beck's complaint played more than a minimal contributory part in her death
- Maj Hook's trial on related charges continues
