A soldier in a Scottish regiment has been charged with the rape of a woman serving with British Forces Cyprus. Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne, of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, was arrested on 19 October and charged on 23 October. He has been remanded in custody pending a court-martial hearing.
The Defence Serious Crime Command said it was informed of the reported rape on 17 October, and Horne was arrested two days later. The charge was brought under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2006. The battalion, also known as The Highlanders, was last year announced to be relocating to Cyprus from its base at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, where it had been stationed for the past decade.
An Army spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne was charged with one count of rape, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2006, on October 23, 2026, following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command. As this is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further. 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. Anyone convicted of a sexual offence will be discharged from the Service.”
Lance Corporal is the second lowest soldier rank in the British Army, typically involving command of a small team of about four people. The DSCC encouraged anyone affected by sexual offences in the armed forces to contact them.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case tests the military's handling of sexual violence within the armed forces, an area that has prompted scrutiny and reform efforts in recent years.
- It highlights the challenges of reporting such crimes in a deployed military community, such as British Forces Cyprus.
- A conviction would result in discharge and a prison sentence, reinforcing the Army's stated zero-tolerance policy.
Background
Lance Corporal is the second lowest soldier rank in the British Army. The 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (The Highlanders) was last year announced to be relocating to Cyprus after a decade at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire. The Defence Serious Crime Command investigates serious crimes involving UK armed forces personnel overseas. The charge falls under the Sexual Offences Act 2006.
Key Perspectives
What to Watch
- The court-martial hearing, which will determine the outcome of the charge.
- Any further developments from the DSCC investigation.
- The Army's implementation of support measures for victims within British Forces Cyprus.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA soldier in a Scottish regiment was charged with rape of a woman serving in Cyprus.STV News: “A soldier in a Scottish regiment has been charged with the rape of a woman serving with the UK armed forces in Cyprus.”
- SupportedLance Corporal Nicholas Horne, of The Highlanders, was remanded in custody pending a court-martial.STV News: “LCpl Horne was remanded in custody pending a court-martial hearing.”
- SupportedHorne serves in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, also known as The Highlanders.STV News: “Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne, who serves in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland – also known as The Highlanders – was charged with one count of rape on October 23”
- SupportedHorne was arrested on 19 October and charged on 23 October.STV News: “He was arrested on October 19, two days after the DSCC was informed of the reported rape”
- SupportedThe Defence Serious Crime Command was informed of the reported rape on 17 October, and Horne was arrested two days later.STV News: “He was arrested on October 19, two days after the DSCC was informed of the reported rape”
- SupportedThe charge was under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2006.STV News: “Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne was charged with one count of rape, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2006, on October 23, 2026”
- SupportedThe Army spokesperson said Horne was charged with one count of rape, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2006, on October 23, 2026, following a DSCC investigation.STV News: “We can confirm that Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne was charged with one count of rape, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2006, on October 23, 2026, following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command.”
- SupportedThe Army spokesperson said it was inappropriate to comment further on ongoing proceedings, that there was no place for criminal behaviour in the Army, and that anyone convicted of a sexual offence would be discharged.STV News: “As this is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further. 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. Anyone convicted of a sexual offence will be discharged from the Service.”
- SupportedThe battalion was announced to be relocating to Cyprus last year from Catterick Garrison, where it had been based for the past decade.STV News: “It was announced last year that the battalion, which was based at Bourlon Barracks at the Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire for the last ten years, would relocate to Cyprus.”
- SupportedLance Corporal is the British Army’s second-lowest soldier rank and typically involves command of a team of about four people.STV News: “Lance Corporal is the second lowest soldier rank in the British Army and typically involves the commanding and administration of a team of around four people”
- SupportedThe DSCC encouraged anyone affected by sexual offences in the armed forces to contact it.STV News: “The DSCC said anyone affected by sexual offences in the Armed Forces is encouraged to contact them.”