Superdry cofounder James Holder found guilty of raping woman after night out
The Guardian • • world
Key Points:
- James Holder, cofounder of Superdry, has been found guilty of raping a woman in Cheltenham after a night out, with the jury rejecting his claim that the encounter was consensual.
- The incident occurred when Holder and a male friend took a taxi to the victim’s flat instead of going to Holder’s home, where the assault took place despite the victim’s pleas for him to stop.
- Holder was acquitted of assault by penetration but was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after his bail application was denied.
- During the trial, Holder portrayed himself as "chivalrous" and denied acting on impulse, while the victim firmly rejected the defense's suggestion that the encounter was a regretted drunken mistake.
- Holder, who also founded the fashion label Bench and co-founded Superdry, faces sentencing following the guilty verdict at Gloucester crown court.
