Superdry Co-founder James Holder Denies Rape, Assault by Penetration Charges in Cheltenham

Superdry co-founder James Holder, 54, is currently facing charges of rape and assault by penetration, a court has heard. The allegations stem from an incident in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in May 2022, following a night out.

Gloucester Crown Court, sitting in Cirencester, was informed that Mr Holder, after falling asleep in the complainant's bed, allegedly woke, beckoned the woman from the lounge into the bedroom, and then raped her. Mr Holder, from Cheltenham, denies both charges.

Prosecutor James Haskell stated that while there is no dispute that Mr Holder engaged in sexual activity with the woman, he maintains that all activity was consensual and that he reasonably believed it to be so. The court heard that the complainant, attempting to sleep in the lounge, was allegedly pulled onto the bed by Mr Holder after refusing to join him.

She described efforts to stop him, stating he pulled off her lower clothing and continued despite her telling him to stop and, at one point, crying. Mr Haskell indicated that voice note messages sent by the complainant to friends suggest she was significantly intoxicated, an alleged vulnerability that the prosecution contends Mr Holder exploited.

The complainant reportedly managed to leave the bedroom before Mr Holder departed shortly thereafter. She subsequently reported the allegations to the police, providing a video-recorded interview in July 2022. The trial continues.