At an inquest, a manager denied manipulative actions towards a soldier who later died by suicide after troubling texts.
The inquest heard about many “relentless” and “psychotic” messages Mason sent to Beck in the months before she died. Beck was stationed at Larkhill.
Mason had been in the Army since 2008 and is now a driving instructor. He started texting Beck when he had mental health issues, and she comforted him then. By November, his messages changed.
Rheinberg asked about Mason declaring love via texts, but Mason declined to answer that specific question. Transcripts showed Mason said he loved her and knew she would be sick of hearing it.
Rheinberg stated Beck was 19 years old at the time and asked if it was right for an older, senior man to share troubles with her. Mason again declined to answer.
On December 7, 2021, Beck stayed at The Chequers Hotel in Swindon, along with Mason and another colleague. They were part of the core engagement team.
Rheinberg asked if Mason entered Beck’s room and touched her leg. Mason denied doing that. Beck left the trip early that night because she felt “uncomfortable” with Mason’s actions.
Beck texted Mason about feeling trapped, saying she tried to be normal, but it wasn’t working. Being there for him had crossed a line, and she felt uncomfortable and cried. Her mental health suffered greatly, and she needed time out.
Beck wanted her colleague not to suspect anything and asked Mason to lie, saying she left due to a family emergency. Alison Gerry, representing Beck’s family, asked what frightened Beck so much.
Mason claimed he didn’t know what happened, saying there was no anger or arguing. He said he didn’t even see her that night and last saw her when they got back to the hotel.
Rheinberg noted the large number of messages Mason sent, over 1,000 in October 2021 and over 3,600 in November 2021. When asked if Mason agreed with these numbers, he declined to answer.
A journal entry by Mason, written while struggling with his mental health as a way of writing things down on someone’s advice, was shown. Mason thought there was only one copy, but the service inquiry had a thirteen-page copy, and police found a fourteen-page one on his laptop.
Gerry said the parts about Beck differed most, saying Mason seemed “angry” about Beck not returning his feelings. Mason denied being angry then, also denying “harassing” or being “manipulative.”
The inquest also heard about Beck’s breakup, ending a two-year relationship on November 12, 2021, which Mason was “overjoyed” by. He saw it as a chance to get “close” to her and made excited comments in WhatsApp messages. He said he had “never been so proud” and thought her breakup decision was “surreal”. Gerry thought it was an excessive reaction, but Mason claimed he knew he had no chance.