Latest news with #courtmartial
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Female clarinettist in Coldstream Guards groped six colleagues at parties including after King's Coronation
A FEMALE clarinettist in the Coldstream Guards groped six colleagues at parties after the King's Coronation and other state ceremonies. Lance Corporal Caitlyn Hawkins squeezed a male soldier 's privates while staggering back from a pub, a court heard. And she told a female: 'It's annoying that you are straight and this attractive — do you not want to try it?', before putting her hands on her victim's breasts. Col Jim Carmichael, prosecuting, told Bulford military court that all the victims were in Army bands with Hawkins, 26, who once appeared on TV playing songs for England's Lionesses. The court heard that while heavily intoxicated from drinking at a London pub, she groped a colleague's privates and touched his buttocks. She then grabbed another soldier without consent. On that same night, she undid a female colleague's bra over her clothing after trying to touch her breasts. The court martial heard of other incidents involving three females. Chris Cannon, mitigating, said Hawkins had now sought mental health help and cut down her drinking. She admitted seven sexual assaults and two disgraceful conduct charges. She got an 18-month suspended sentence, with 240 hours of unpaid work, and was dismissed from the Army. Judge John Atwill said: 'You probably would have had a very successful career as an Army musician. Woman in her 30s sexually assaulted outside Tube station during early hours sparking urgent manhunt "You have thrown all of that away.' 2
Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Female musician dismissed from army after groping colleagues
A female musician in the band of the Coldstream Guards has been dismissed from the British Army after she groped or propositioned six of her colleagues. Lance Corporal Caitlyn Hawkins, a clarinetist who regularly performed at Buckingham Palace, squeezed the genitals of one male colleague and put her hands down a female colleague's trousers, a court martial heard. The soldier, 26, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting four colleagues and committing disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind against two others. All of those involved were carrying out ceremonial duties alongside Hawkins in army bands. Hawkins was interviewed by Sky News in 2023 about supporting the Lionesses in the World Cup final Assistant Judge Advocate General John Atwill said Hawkins was guilty of 'predatory behaviour' as he dismissed her from the army and issued a suspended sentence. The band of the Coldstream Guards is one of the oldest and best known in the British Army. It is regularly involved in the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace and Trooping the Colour, the King's birthday parade. The court martial heard that on one occasion, in May 2023, Hawkins was out drinking with other musicians at a pub in London. By the end of the night, she was 'heavily intoxicated' and left the venue with three male colleagues. Colonel Jim Carmichael, the prosecutor, told Bulford military court: 'On the way back, the defendant became rowdy. She was shouting on the street, she had slurred speech and she was staggering.' She then attempted to kiss a male colleague who had offered to walk her home and 'softly squeezed' his genitals, leaving him in 'complete shock'. On another occasion, in June 2024, she asked a female colleague: 'Would your boyfriend mind if I kissed you right now?' On the same night, she sexually assaulted the woman and tried to touch the breasts of another female colleague. One victim said Hawkins had assaulted her on four occasions, including putting her hands down her trousers, making 'skin-to-skin' contact. In a statement, Hawkins apologised and said she deeply regretted her actions. She also admitted that she could not remember the incidents due to alcohol consumption, which had increased after the death of her father. • Army chief's disgust after 1,000 women tell of sexual abuse in the ranks Speaking about the victims, Judge Atwill said: 'Many of them felt disempowered by your predatory behaviour and upset at the time and since about your willingness to treat them disgracefully. 'The sad thing is, had you followed the values and standards you agreed to be part of, you wouldn't be here at all.'You probably would have had a very successful career as an army musician. You have thrown all of that away.' Hawkins was handed an 18-month suspended sentence and dismissed from the army. She was also ordered to undertake 240 hours of unpaid work and 35 rehabilitation activity days.
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Female Coldstream Guard who sexually assaulted woman colleague saying she would 'massage her to sleep' avoids jail
A British Army musician in the renowned Coldstream Guards' band has avoided jail after she sexually assaulted a fellow female comrade in a wine-fuelled attack. Military clarinet player Private Adelle Foster tried to take the woman's clothes off after telling her she would 'massage her to sleep'. When the colleague protested, Pte Foster groped her and told her 'I'm still going to touch you', a court martial heard. Her victim - who had a boyfriend - was so troubled by her persistent assaults she recorded the incident, the audio of which was played to the hearing. The historic Coldstream Guards - recognised by their famed red tunics and bearskin caps - is responsible for guarding the Royal Family and is known for its high-profile ceremonial duties outside Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Its band is one of the oldest and best known military bands in the world and as well as having its own recording deal, takes part in global public events including King Charles 's Coronation in 2023. Pte Foster - who told the woman she had just been 'joking' - has now been handed a suspended sentence after she was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault following a hearing at Bulford Military Court, in Wiltshire. Opening the case, Commodore James Farrant told the court martial the attack took place in the early hours after the clarinetist had drunk about a bottle of wine. The prosecutor said that usually, the women 'didn't get on that well, and they argued', including about 'each other's behaviour'. Cdre Farrant continued: 'Musician Foster moved closer to [the woman] and suggested that she, Musician Foster, give her, [the woman], a massage to help her sleep. '[The woman] declined, but Musician Foster started stroking her hand anyway. '[The woman] tried to lift this off.' Pte Foster then grabbed her breast and touched her intimately, the court heard. The prosecutor continued: 'All touching was over clothing. 'Eventually, Musician Foster said she was going to sleep, [the woman] thought the incident was over. 'But Musician Foster began touching [her] again, this time on her breasts and bottom. 'She began trying to take [the woman]'s clothes off. 'She eventually stopped following [the woman]'s polite protest.' Cdre Farrant said that, despite telling her colleague she was going to bed, Pte Foster touched her genitals through her jeans once again. The victim, who was also wearing a jumper, told her 'no', and Pte Foster mocked her by 'repeating [her] protestations to her'. The woman then tried to leave the room, but Pte Foster blocked her from going before her victim managed to flee. The exchanges between the women were partially captured in audio recordings the victim made that night, which were played in court. After the woman says that she has a partner, Pte Foster can be heard saying 'I'm still going to touch you', and later she asks 'Are you going to tell your boyfriend?'. The woman is then heard saying 'Don't', and 'I don't find it comfortable, all this touching'. Pte Foster then repeatedly says 'I'm joking'. Cdre Farrant said at around 2.40am, Pte Foster sent a message to the woman telling her she was 'just trying to be friends', and 'not to make herself a victim'. She tried to call the woman, and in another message asked if she was 'pretending to be a victim'. Speaking face to face again that night, the woman told Pte Foster she shouldn't have molested her. The musician responded that 'she was joking when she had done that' - this can be heard on an audio recording. Pte Foster said: 'Before, when I was joking and touching you, I was joking.' The musician, when confronted with this evidence in an interview, said she didn't remember saying she was joking. She denied touching her colleague inappropriately. The victim told the court: 'She admitted herself by saying "I just tried to make the situation lighter".' Pte Foster was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. She was also handed a community order involving 200 hours of unpaid work, and 12 rehabilitation activity days. She had already left the Army, it was said.
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Daily Mail
British Army soldier who sexually assaulted a lesbian colleague while she was asleep has been jailed for seven years
A British Army soldier has been jailed for seven years after he sexually assaulted a lesbian colleague. Corporal Luke Edwards groped the woman while she was asleep - despite her telling him she was gay. His victim described the assault - which took place while they were deployed abroad - as a 'harrowing, violating experience'. The 26-year-old has now been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of two counts of sexual assault by penetration at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire. The court martial heard Cpl Edwards, of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, had only recently been promoted to the rank of Corporal when the incident took place following an evening of drinking. Lieutenant Colonel Graham Coombes, prosecuting, told the court: 'After an evening of socialising, [the victim] was told by Cpl Edwards that he was locked out of his room and it was agreed that he would stay in her room. '[The victim] told Cpl Edwards 'Well I am gay and you have a girlfriend so nothing is going to happen'. 'The pair kissed and then Cpl Edwards tried putting his hand down her pants and she pulled his hand away. '[The victim] said she removed his hand straight away and made it clear to him that she did not want that to happen. She then went to sleep.' Lt Col Coombes said that as she slept Cpl Edwards assaulted her. He then said: 'As [the victim] was a lesbian and did not have sex with men, she was not sure what was happening. 'She did not respond to him and was still half asleep and was confused about what was going on. 'She then froze and did not know what to do. She remained in a state of shock. 'She then left the room and went to see a friend and told her that she had been sexually assaulted.' A statement read out on behalf of the victim said: 'I was subjected to the most harrowing, violating experience when [Cpl Edwards] sexually assaulted me. 'The isolation gave me plenty of time to ruminate. I felt ashamed and hated myself for a long time. 'This impacted how I saw myself and destroyed my self-confidence, finding it impossible to imagine how I could ever trust anyone enough to be in an intimate sexual relationship. 'For a while my general health declined, I couldn't sleep as I constantly had nightmares and flashbacks when I did. It stole from me a sense of peace, security and self-worth. 'The defendant was supposed to be my colleague and completely betrayed my trust. 'He chose to sexually assault me and instead of showing remorse and admitting what he did, he not only denied these offences but maintained that I instigated sexual contact between us. 'His lack of remorse and integrity had caused a further 18 months of unnecessary, prolonged distress.' James Hay, defending, said: 'The victim accepts that she invited him into her room and into her bed. They also shared a consensual kiss. 'This appears to be a blip in a previously unblemished record. Cpl Edwards will finish his career in the Army today.' Judge Advocate General Alan Large said: 'In this kind of situation dismissal from the armed forces is inevitable. 'It is agreed that you could come into her bed but she made it clear that no further activity was to take place. You were only able to do it because she was asleep. 'Your actions show the highly damaging affects of sexual offences. 'Service personnel have to have a certain bond of trust to effectively serve and sexual offending undermines this bond. 'This type of case is very serious and needs to be dealt with accordingly.' As well as being jailed, Cpl Edwards was dismissed from the Army.
Telegraph
21-06-2025
- Telegraph
Household Cavalry corporal shamed after slapping female recruit's bottom
The 28-year military career of a member of the Household Cavalry came to a 'sadly discreditable' end after he slapped the bottom of a female recruit. Experienced Corporal of Horse Steven Henderson's behaviour in smacking the 19-year-old twice on a night out with young trainees was 'outrageous', a court martial heard. 'An experienced, senior NCO can't expect to lay hands on young female recruits in this way and have people be anything other than outraged,' Assistant Judge Advocate General John Atwill said. It was 'a sadly discreditable end to your creditable career', he added. Digraceful conduct of an indecent kind Father of two Cpl Henderson, who is leaving the Army, pleaded guilty to one charge of disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind at Bulford Military Court, Wilts. The 45-year-old has been fined £1,800 and must pay a £100 service compensation order to the victim. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment is known for its iconic tunics and plumed helmets, and for being at the heart of the King's Coronation, Royal weddings and state occasions. Cpl Henderson drank 'a considerable amount of alcohol' on the night out with trainees who were 'much younger' than him, the court martial heard. No flirtatious behaviour or consent Prosecutor Captain Ciaran Rafferty said Cpl Henderson went on a night out in Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire. The court heard the night out started in a Wetherspoons venue before moving to a pub called The Anne of Cleves and ending up at a karaoke bar named The Generous Briton. The prosecutor said Cpl Henderson slapped the bottom of one of the trainees at one of the pubs. Capt Rafferty said of the second incident: 'Later on in the evening, when the bar had closed, Henderson slapped the bottom of the same trainee again and sarcastically made jokes that it was somebody else. 'From the complainant's perspective, seemingly without any context, there wasn't any flirtatious behaviour or any indication she consented to these touches in any way.' She felt 'some confusion' and 'shock' at the incidents, the second of which happened while she was waiting for a taxi. 'Horseplay gone too far' Capt. Rafferty said that Cpl Henderson had a 'belief someone had slapped his bottom before he slapped her bottom and it was his belief this was the complainant'. The prosecutor said that Cpl Henderson has served 28 years in the British army and is due to leave the service at the end of the month. Cpl Henderson had some contact with trainees as part of his job in the household cavalry, but his role did not involve any teaching or training. For the defence, Chris Harper said Cpl Henderson's actions were simply 'horseplay gone too far'.
