British soldier charged with rape in Cyprus

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 11 Nov, 23:14 · Archive

Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne of the Royal Regiment of Scotland was charged with one count of rape on 23 October after being arrested on 19 October.

A British soldier has been charged with the rape of a woman serving with UK forces in Cyprus. Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne serves with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, also known as The Highlanders, which is based at Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the Mediterranean island.

Horne was charged with one count of rape on 23 October, the Defence Serious Crime Command said. He was arrested on 19 October, two days after the DSCC was informed of the alleged rape of a woman serving in British Forces Cyprus, which is part of the British Army. He was remanded in custody pending a court-martial hearing.

The charge follows an investigation by the DSCC's Major Crime Team, conducted with Service Police partners. The DSCC independently investigates serious crime committed by military personnel in the UK and overseas.

An Army spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne was charged with one count of rape, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2006, on 23rd October 2026, following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command.' The spokesperson added: 'There is no place for criminal behaviour in the Army, and we recognise the great courage it takes to come forward and report an offence.'

The Army also stated that anyone convicted of a sexual offence will be discharged from the service. The DSCC said anyone affected by sexual offences in the armed forces is encouraged to contact them.

Lance Corporal is the second lowest soldier rank in the British Army and typically involves commanding and administration of a team of around four people. The Guardian reports that the Ministry of Defence has stepped up efforts to tackle sexual violence and sexual misconduct in recent years, announcing that specialist teams would be deployed at UK military locations in the UK and overseas.

How it is being reported

• British soldier charged with rape of woman serving in CyprusLance Corporal Nicholas Horne serving in The Highlanders was arrested and charged in October.BBC News · 11 Nov, 22:34
• British soldier charged with rape of army servicewoman in CyprusL/Cpl Nicholas Horne, from 4th Battalion of Royal Regiment of Scotland, charged with one count of rape on 23 October A British soldier has been charged with the alleged rape of a UK army servicewoman in Cyprus. L/Cpl Nicholas Horne, who serves in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland , also known as The Highlanders, was charged with one count of rape on 23 October, the Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) said. Continue reading...The Guardian · 11 Nov, 19:06
• British soldier charged with raping woman serving with UK armed forces in CyprusNicholas Horne was charged with one count of rape on 23 OctoberThe Independent · 11 Nov, 17:46
• British soldier charged with rape of woman in CyprusA British soldier has been charged with the rape of a woman serving with UK forces in Cyprus.Sky News · 11 Nov, 16:16
• British Lance Corporal 'raped woman serving with UK forces in Cyprus'Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne was charged with one count of rape on October 23, the Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) said.Daily Mail · 11 Nov, 15:44

In this story: Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne · Royal Regiment of Scotland · Defence Serious Crime Command · British Forces Cyprus · Cyprus · Akrotiri and Dhekelia

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