A British soldier serving with the Royal Regiment of Scotland has been remanded in custody after being charged with the rape of a fellow service member in Cyprus.
Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne, assigned to the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland—widely known as The Highlanders—is set to face a court-martial hearing following the serious allegations. The charge was formally brought against him on 23 October, according to the Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC).
The investigation began shortly after authorities were alerted to the incident on 17 October. The victim, also a woman serving within the British Armed Forces in Cyprus, reported the assault, prompting an immediate response from the DSCC’s Major Crime Team. Working in conjunction with Service Police partners, investigators arrested LCpl Horne two days later, on 19 October.
An Army spokesperson confirmed the development in a statement released this week, noting that the charge was filed under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2006.
“We can confirm that Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne was charged with one count of rape on 23rd October 2026, following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command,” the spokesperson said. “As this is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The military has moved to emphasize its stance on conduct within the ranks. “There is no place for criminal behaviour in the Army, and we recognise the great courage it takes to come forward and report an offence,” the statement added. The service further confirmed that, per military policy, any soldier convicted of a sexual offence faces mandatory discharge from the Armed Forces.
LCpl Horne currently holds the rank of Lance Corporal, the second-lowest rank in the British Army. In this capacity, he is typically responsible for the command and administration of a small team of approximately four soldiers.
The DSCC has issued an appeal for anyone within the Armed Forces who may have been affected by sexual offences to come forward and contact their specialized units, ensuring that support is available for victims within the military community.
As the case moves toward a court-martial, the Ministry of Defence remains under scrutiny regarding its handling of internal misconduct. The military justice system, which operates independently of civilian courts for service-related offences, will now oversee the proceedings against Horne. No date has yet been set for the commencement of the trial.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
