UK court convicts co-founder of British clothing brand Superdry of 2022 rape

James Holder denied the charges of rape and assault by penetration, claiming that he had consensual sex with the woman. The jury, while pronouncing the verdict, acquitted Holder of assault by penetration but found him guilty of rape.

In Short

• Incident occurred in May 2022 after Holder visited woman's home uninvited
• Holder denied charges and claimed consensual sex
• Holder co-founded Superdry in 2003, resigned in 2016

A UK court has convicted James Holder, the co-founder of fashion chain Superdry, of raping a woman after a night out in 2022.

According to Sky News, Holder, 54, went to the woman's home uninvited after a night of drinking, used the bathroom and then fell asleep on her bed. The report added that Holder later woke up and beckoned the woman, who was trying to sleep in the lounge, into the bedroom before raping her.

The multi-millionaire denied the charges of rape and assault by penetration, claiming that he had consensual sex with the woman. The jury, while pronouncing the verdict, acquitted Holder of assault by penetration but found him guilty of rape.

The incident took place on May 7, 2022, when Holder had a night out at a bar in Cheltenham.

The Independent quoted the woman as telling the court she had repeatedly asked Holder to stop, but he did not. The ordeal, according to the report, ended when she managed to escape the bedroom, after which Holder left her home shortly after. The woman also denied allegations made during the trial that she had initiated the encounter.

The Superdry co-founder was taken into custody following the judgement. He is expected to receive significant jail time. However, the date of sentencing has not yet been revealed.

PREVIOUS RUN-IN WITH LAW

This is not the first time Holder has faced legal trouble.

The Superdry co-founder had earlier been banned from driving after admitting to driving under the influence of alcohol. Holder, then 51, was stopped by police in his Range Rover on July 28, 2023, when a roadside breath test recorded a reading of 72 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of breath. The legal limit is 35 mg.

Consequently, he was disqualified from driving for 18 months, fined £1,800 and ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs along with a victim surcharge of £720, as per The Independent.

JAMES HOLDER AND HIS BUSINESS

Holder co-founded Superdry in 2003 along with Julian Dunkerton, starting the brand as a market stall in Cheltenham. The following year, they opened its first physical store in London. Holder was responsible for clothing design and brand development.

The brand's early inspiration was drawn from Dunkerton's interest in Americana and Holder's appreciation of Japan and typography.

Superdry saw significant growth in 2005 after footballer David Beckham was seen wearing the brand. Holder led Superdry's product innovation division until 2016, when he resigned from the company but retained a stake.

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