ARMY OFFICER RAPE CHARGE

British Colonel faces ‘unprecedented’ US court martial over claims he ‘pounced on and raped drunk Air Force officer’ at formal dinner

Lt Col Benedict Tomkins is the first serving British soldier to face a trans-Atlantic rape trial

Amanda Devlin

Published: 19:06, 29 Jan 2017
Updated: 19:07, 29 Jan 2017

A BRITISH soldier faces an unprecedented US court martial after being accused of raping a US Air Force officer at a formal dinner.

Lt Col Benedict Tomkins allegedly "pounced" on the "intoxicated" woman after going to her bedroom.

The trial will take place at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland — The trial will take place at Andrews Air Force Base, MarylandCredit: Alamy

The senior army officer has pleaded not guilty to rape, following a preliminary hearing in Colchester last week.

He will be the first British soldier to face a trans-Atlantic rape trial.

The start of the court martial will be at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington and then at Bulford barracks, Wilts.

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It is the first time such a trial has taken place in two countries.

Proceedings will be led by the UK’s most senior military judge, Advocate General Jeff Blackett, with UK military personnel as jury members.

Tomkins is said to have acted without reasonably believing she wanted to have sex with him.

The 48-year-old denies raping a US Air Force officer at a UN event last January.

Judge Jeff Blackett outside the Military Court Centre at Colchester Garrison in Essex — Judge Jeff Blackett outside the Military Court Centre at Colchester Garrison in EssexCredit: PA:Press Association

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