War hero Lt Colonel charged after female soldier ‘raped’ on boozy night out in the US
Police say after spending hours in bars, Lt Colonel Chris Davies followed woman back to hotel and carried out alleged attack
ONE of the Army’s most senior officers has been accused of raping a female soldier after a boozy night out.
Lt Colonel Chris Davies, 45, was charged on Tuesday after cops received the results of forensic tests — thought to be DNA and clothes swabs.
He had been at the centre of a three-month probe by military chiefs and cops.
The 45-year-old led 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment in Afghanistan in 2014.
His alleged victim went to police in Kingston, Ontario, the day after the event to commemorate Canadian efforts at the Battle of Vimy Ridge during World War One.
They were part of a group that took a taxi from Fort Frontenac barracks to the centre of Kingston after the ceremony to carry on drinking.
Police say that after spending several hours in various bars, Davies followed the woman back to her hotel and carried out the alleged attack.
They were called within 24 hours. Evidence was collected from the scene and sent away for examination.
Davies, of Newport, Gwent, commanded 3rd Battalion the Mercian Regiment on a gruelling nine-month tour of Afghanistan in 2014.
One of his men, Sgt Major Ian Fisher, was killed by a suicide bomber.
On their return Davies said it had been a “demanding” experience and that all of his men “have much to be proud of”.
But he added: “We lost Sgt Major Fisher and there were others for whom life will never be the same.’’
The Battalion was disbanded soon after and Davies, believed to be married, was posted to Canada. He is on three-year assignment as an instructor at the Canadian Staff College.
Constable Steve Koopman, of Kingston Police, told The Sun: “A British Lieutenant Colonel who was temporarily posted to Kingston has been charged with sexual assault in relation to a female victim who is an officer with the Canadian military.
“On August 2 the accused attended police headquarters and was arrested by detectives for one count of sexual assault.”
Davies was released but has had to surrender his passport and must not contact his alleged victim or leave Ontario.
He is due in court again on September 15.
Last night a spokesman for the Army said: “We are aware of an investigation being conducted by Kingston Police into an alleged incident that took place in April this year involving a serving officer.
“As the case is sub-judice it would be inappropriate to make any comment.”