A captain in the Royal Marines is currently standing trial at Bournemouth Crown Court for alleged offenses including rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration, and sexual assault following an incident that occurred in the early hours of November 24, 2023.
According to the prosecution, the defendant, Ricky Shepherd, encountered the complainant at an officers’ mess bar on a military base in Dorset where she had been socializing. The complainant, choosing to sleep on a sofa within the mess, informed Shepherd of her decision before he departed the bar.
Shepherd later messaged the complainant via WhatsApp, expressing goodnight wishes, to which she responded that she was preparing to leave. Subsequent messages from Shepherd indicated his desire for a physical relationship, despite the complainant’s repeated statements that she only wanted to sleep.
Upon the complainant’s arrival at Shepherd’s room, he allegedly made unwanted advances, leading to a situation where she felt pressured and uncomfortable. Despite her verbal objections, Shepherd persisted in his attempts, eventually engaging in unwanted sexual activities against her wishes.
The prosecutor detailed how the complainant felt helpless and unsure of how to react as Shepherd continued to ignore her protests. Even when she explicitly stated her refusal, Shepherd allegedly disregarded her objections, pursuing his actions without consent.
After the incident, the complainant confided in two individuals and sought assistance from a sexual assault referral center, where evidence of physical harm was documented. She later reported the incident to the authorities in January 2024.
Shepherd, who was stationed in Hamworthy, Poole at the time of the alleged offenses, denies all charges brought against him. The trial is ongoing as the legal proceedings continue.