James Holder, the co-founder of fashion brand Superdry, was convicted Friday of rape by a jury at Gloucester Crown Court in England. The 54-year-old businessman was found guilty of one count of rape but acquitted of a separate charge of assault by penetration stemming from an alleged May 2022 assault.
Background
Holder had been out for drinks with colleagues and friends at Gin and Juice, a bar in Cheltenham, England, on the night of the incident. A witness testified that Holder became "intoxicated" during the evening. According to BBC News, the witness said she hailed a taxi for Holder and his friend to take them to Holder's home before hailing a second taxi to take the accuser home. The witness stated that Holder told her: "I am not going home."
The accuser testified that Holder got in her taxi and entered her home uninvited after they had been at the bar together. She said he assaulted her after waking from a short nap, and that she cried as he continued despite her pleas to stop.
The Charges
Holder faced two charges related to the alleged assault: one count of rape and one count of assault by penetration. After deliberation, the jury at Gloucester Crown Court found him guilty of rape but acquitted him of the assault by penetration charge. Holder had denied all charges throughout the trial, maintaining that all sexual activity was consensual.
Holder, a married father of two, was jailed in advance of his sentencing hearing scheduled for May 7 at Bristol Crown Court. He faces a potential prison sentence following his conviction.
Key Takeaways
- James Holder co-founded Superdry in 2003; the brand expanded to products sold in 157 countries by 2018
- The company was delisted from the London Stock Exchange in 2024 after announcing declining sales and has since rebranded as Superdry & Co.
- A witness testified that she hailed separate taxis for Holder and his friend, and for the accuser, but Holder told her he was "not going home" before entering the accuser's taxi
- The jury convicted Holder of rape but acquitted him of assault by penetration
- Holder maintained throughout trial that all sexual activity was consensual
What's Next
Holder is scheduled to be sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on May 7. He remains in custody pending that hearing, where a judge will determine his sentence for the rape conviction.