James Holder, the 54-year-old co-founder of fashion retailer Superdry, has been found guilty of rape following a trial at Gloucester Crown Court sitting in Cirencester.
The jury reached their verdict after four hours of deliberation. The court heard that the incident took place in the early hours of May 7, 2022, following an evening at a bar in Cheltenham. Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Holder and an associate went to the complainant’s residence without invitation after the night out.
During proceedings, the woman gave testimony describing the assault, telling the court that she was crying and repeatedly asked Holder to stop, but that he ignored her requests and continued. The prosecution presented this evidence as part of their case against the businessman, who had denied the charges.
Following the guilty verdict, Holder was remanded in custody by the presiding judge. His sentencing hearing has been scheduled to take place at Bristol Crown Court on May 7, 2026. Holder co-founded Superdry in 2003 alongside Julian Dunkerton, building the brand into an internationally recognized clothing retailer known for its Japanese-inspired designs and British styling.
The conviction of a prominent business figure comes at a time when cases involving sexual offences continue to receive significant attention in British courts and public discourse.
GB News ↗