James Holder, co-founder of fashion brand Superdry, found guilty of rape

James Holder, the co-founder of British clothing brand Superdry, has been convicted of rape following a trial at Gloucester crown court in Cirencester.

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After a five-day trial, a jury of seven men and five women returned a guilty verdict on the rape charge. However, Holder, 54, was acquitted of a separate charge of assault by penetration.

David Chidgey, the judge, denied Holder’s application for bail, which had been submitted so the defendant could “get his affairs in order” and say goodbye to his family. The judge cited Holder’s “significant resources” and described him as a flight risk.

The court heard that on May 6, 2022, Holder was on an “impromptu night out” that ended at a woman’s flat.

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A witness testified that she had ordered separate taxis for Holder and the victim, but Holder instead entered the victim’s cab, which was headed to her home.

Prosecutor James Haskell told the court that Holder later appeared at the living room doorway and asked the woman to join him in the bedroom, but she declined, citing fatigue.

According to the prosecution, Holder then pulled her onto the bed and continued to touch her, removing her lower clothing despite her attempts to resist.

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“At one point she remembered starting to cry, but even then he didn’t stop,” the prosecutor said.

The jury was told that the woman eventually escaped from the bedroom, after which Holder left the flat shortly afterwards. The incident was reported to the police, and the complainant gave a video-recorded interview in July 2022.

During a police interview in 2022, Holder spoke about his “love of women and sex”, adding that his instinct was to “protect [the victim] and women” and that he could “handle alcohol well”.

In a statement, Superdry said Holder had resigned as a director and employee in 2016, while his consultancy role ended in 2019.

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“The case relates to an incident in 2022, long after any role with Superdry had ended,” the company said.

“The court case does not relate to Superdry, its premises, employees or business activity. As this remains a matter for the court, Superdry cannot comment further.”

Holder is due to be sentenced on May 7 at Bristol crown court.

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