Tearful Royal Navy captain is cleared of raping cadet, 18
But court martial casts doubt on career
A ROYAL Navy captain who had sex with a teenage cadet has been cleared of rape.
Lieutenant Rhys Christie sobbed in court as he was found not guilty of five counts of rape, but the judge told him he had ‘fundamentally failed’ in his role as a commanding officer.
Lt Christie was alleged to have ‘pounced on the vulnerability’ of a young woman following two nights out with Navy colleagues.
A military court heard the 18-year-old cadet, who was bought drinks by Lt Christie, vomited in the pub on one occasion and had ‘no memory’ of events on either night until she awoke in his hotel room.
But he told the court she was a willing participant in all sexual activities between them, adding she had indicated her consent by way of a ‘wry smile’ and ‘giving me the eye’.
Yesterday at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, the 29-yearold, who at the time was commanding officer of Edinburghbased HMS Archer, was cleared of all charges following a three-day trial.
Though Lt Christie admitted he ‘abused his power’ by sleeping with the cadet, he denied raping her after the nights out in Eyemouth, Berwickshire, and Ramsgate, Kent.
The officer claimed that he had ‘no concerns about her willingness’. Between the two incidents, the pair had consensual sex, the panel heard.
Ellie Fargin, defending, said the report of rape had been made because the cadet felt ‘embarrassed’.
After the verdict, the judge told Lt Christie: ‘Your behaviour calls into question your ability to serve in the Navy and we invite your chain of command to consider that issue.’