Colonel cleared of mishandling soldier's abuse allegations as co-defendant's trial continues

A court martial has cleared Col Samantha Shepherd of failing to properly handle abuse allegations by Gunner Jaysley Beck, who took her own life in 2021.

• The military court at Catterick Garrison returned a not guilty verdict after Assistant Judge Advocate Gen Edward Legard said the crown concluded there was insufficient evidence for a safe conviction.
• Shepherd had faced a charge of conduct prejudicial to good order and service discipline over her handling of Beck's complaint about an assault on a July 2021 training exercise.
• Maj James Hook's trial continues; he told military police Beck said warrant officer Michael Webber had "made a pass at her" and denied being forced.
• Webber was jailed for six months in October for sexually assaulting Beck.