British soldier charged with rape of woman serving in Cyprus

Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne, who serves in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland – also known as The Highlanders – was charged with one count of rape on October 23, the Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) said. He was arrested on October 19, two days after the DSCC was informed of the alleged rape of a woman serving in the British Forces Cyprus, which is part of the British Armed Forces.

The charge comes after an investigation by the major crime team at the DSCC - who independently investigate serious crime committed by people subject to service law in the UK and overseas. An Army spokesperson said: "We can confirm that Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne was charged with one count of rape, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2006, on 23rd October 2026, following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command...

"There is no place for criminal behaviour in the Army, and we recognise the great courage it takes to come forward and report an offence.