// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Colonel cleared over handling of soldier abuse case
Maj James Hook (L) and Col Samantha Shepherd (C) were accused of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline
A senior Army officer has been cleared of failing to properly deal with abuse allegations made by a teenage soldier who took her own life.
Col Samantha Shepherd has been on trial at Military Court Centre at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, in connection with the handling of concerns raised by Gunner Jaysley Beck, from Cumbria.
The 19-year-old took her own life at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire in 2021 after former Battery Sgt Michael Webber "pinned her down" and sexually assaulted her.
A board - which consisted of an Air Commodore, a Royal Navy captain and an Army colonel - returned a not guilty verdict for Shepherd, on the directions of a judge.
Gunner Beck had filed a complaint about the sexual assault
Assistant Judge Advocate General Edward Legard had told the board: "The Crown has concluded that there is insufficient evidence upon which you can safely convict Colonel Shepherd of the charge she faces."
Shepherd's barrister Derek Johashen said: "Colonel Shepherd is relieved by the decision.
Johashen said his client fully understood the impact on Gunner Beck's family.
He said: "Her thoughts remain with them, and always will.