Ryan Mason denies manipulating Jaysley Beck, who died at Larkhill Camp. He refused to answer key questions at the inquest.
Mason left the Army the same month as Beck’s death. He remembered her as energetic and spirited. The coroner asked Mason about romantic feelings and about professing his love to her. Mason declined to answer these questions.
The coroner asked if messages pressured Jaysley. They asked about his mental health concerns and his thoughts of suicide. Again, Mason chose not to answer the coroner. He revealed struggles with mental health and mentioned his self-harm history.
The coroner questioned Mason about off-loading his issues and asked if doing so to a 19-year-old was appropriate. Mason refused to answer this question, too. The next question involved manipulating Jaysley and asked if he used suicide threats. Mason said he had no manipulative aim.
The coroner then inquired if Mason asked Jaysley to sleep with him. This allegedly happened while staying at a hotel. Mason answered “No” to this direct question.
The coroner asked about an incident on December 7 involving Mason, Jaysley, and another soldier. Beck reportedly left early, feeling “frightened”. The coroner asked if Mason touched her leg. Mason also answered “No” to this question.
The inquest reviewed a message from Gunner Beck. She wrote Mason about feeling trapped and trying to act normal which made her uncomfortable. She felt like he crossed their friendship’s line. She said she felt uncomfortable at the work event and that she’d cried, worried, and lost sleep because of it all.
It took a big toll on her mental health. She stated needing time out from him. The coroner asked if Mason knew his pursuit stressed her. Mason again refused to answer this specific question.
Mason said he returned home on December 8 and then decided that he would leave the Army soon.
A lawyer questioned Mason about his messages to Jaylsley. The lawyer suggested Mason was obsessed, jealous, and manipulative and stated that he pursued her more after she ended another relationship. Mason refused to give an answer.
Jaysley-Louise Beck sadly passed away on December 15. Mason knew Jaysley was allegedly sexually assaulted, which happened earlier in July 2021. The lawyer asked why he pursued her like that. He refused to answer that sensitive inquiry.
During Mason’s testimony, Beck’s mother looked away. The hearing about the events surrounding Jaysley Beck’s death continues.