Army officers deny charges linked to soldier's death

Two senior Army officers have denied charges brought following the death of young soldier who took her own life after being sexually assaulted by a superior.

Colonel Samantha Shepherd and Major James Hook appeared at the Military Court Centre, Catterick by video-link earlier, where they both denied "conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline".

The allegations relate to the mishandling of a complaint by Jaysley Beck. The 19-year-old was found hanged in her barracks in Larkhill Camp in 2021.

Former senior non-commissioned officer Michael Webber, 43, was jailed for six months last year after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting Gunner Beck five months before her death.

An inquest into her death found the incident and the Army's failure to take appropriate action "more than minimally" contributed to her death.

The Army has already issued an apology, saying it was "profoundly sorry" for the failings identified at the inquest.

On Wednesday, Shepherd pleaded not guilty to two charges of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline.

The first alleges that "on 13 July 2021, and thereafter, you did not report the commission of an alleged sexual assault to the service police in respect of a suspect within the regiment of which you were regimental colonel".

The second alleges that "on a date in July 2021, you misreported what you had been told by Jaysley Beck" to another person.

Hook also pleaded not guilty to one charge of the same offence.

This alleges that "on 13 July 2021, you did not treat information passed to yourself by Jaysley Beck in a manner consistent with its seriousness".

Judge Adjutant General Alan Large told the defendants they will go on trial on 14 September, but it has not yet been decided whether the five-day hearing will be at Catterick, in North Yorkshire, or at Bulford Camp in Wiltshire.

A further case management hearing will be held on 23 June.

A number of Gunner Beck's family were on the link listening to the 20-minute hearing.

The judge was told Hook is serving with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

Shepherd, who appeared from the United States, is serving with the British Defence Staff in the country.

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