Superdry Co-founder James Holder Found Guilty Of Rape

Superdry co-founder James Holder found guilty of rape

James Holder, co-founder of fashion brand Superdry, has been found guilty of rape following a jury verdict at Gloucester Crown Court.

A jury convicted the 54-year-old businessman of rape, while he was cleared of a separate charge of assault by penetration.

The verdict comes after a trial examining allegations relating to an incident in May 2022, following a night out in Cheltenham.

Court proceedings heard that

• The incident occurred after a night of drinking in Cheltenham
• The woman had been taken back to her home
• Sexual activity took place, but the complainant said it was non consensual
• She told the defendant to stop and was in distress during the encounter Prosecutors argued that Holder ignored her lack of consent and exploited her vulnerability. Holder denied all allegations, claiming
• The sexual activity was consensual
• There was no intent to commit assault
• The encounter was misinterpreted by the complainant

Despite this defence, the jury rejected his account and returned a guilty verdict.

• Guilty Rape
• Not guilty Assault by penetration
• Next step Sentencing to follow

Holder has been taken into custody pending sentencing decisions.

James Holder is known as a co-founder of Superdry, the UK fashion label launched in 2003. He stepped back from the company years earlier but remains a public figure in the fashion industry. The case has concluded at jury level, but sentencing proceedings are still to come, meaning final punishment has not yet been determined.