A 19-year old soldier was sentenced to seven years for raping a female colleague and sexually assaulting two others.
Gunner Joshua Holt, formerly of the Royal Artillery, raped his fellow soldier after watching TV with her in her room, Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire was told.
William Eaglestone, the prosecution’s lead witness, had previously stated that the victim tried to push him away.But he was too strong to resist and he put all his body weight on her’. He told her to ‘good girl’ as well as’stay there’.
Judge Advocate General Alan Large sentenced Gnr Holt to seven years imprisonment for rape, followed by three years on licence.
He said the rape was particularly serious because of the ‘degradation and humiliation’ endured by his victim.
Gnr Holr’s adoptive parent wept in court as they heard statements of Gnr Holt’s victims following his conviction at the court martial.
Gunner Joshua Holt, who was previously a member of the Royal Artillery raped a fellow soldier after watching TV in her room. Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire was told.
The victim of rape stated that he has suffered trust issues since the rape. I fear that someone might take advantage of my again… a thought which hasn’t left since he took advantage.
At a sentencing hearing, Mr Eaglestone summarized statements made by one victim of sexual assault.
He stated to the court that he felt constantly ashamed, had no self confidence, and was sometimes depressed. [she]Can’t bear looking in the mirror.
She said, “I often feel depressed and my anxieties mean that some days I don’t even want to get up and deal with the day ”.’.
Mr Eaglestone also read the statement from the third victim: “As a victim to sexual assault, I have increased anxiety. Your actions continue to weigh upon my mind.
“I trusted him and he betrayed me.”
Gnr Holt had previously committed battery against his step mother, foster parents, teachers, and adoptive parents.
Robert Bryan, however, defended, stated that these incidents were not related to the sexual offences and that he was a younger man than he was when he began offending at 12 years old.
Paul Holt, the adoptive father of Gnr Holt, explained to the court that Gnr Holt had struggled in school after he and he wife adopted him at three years old.
He stated, “He had had a difficult childhood and you could argue like his behavior that he kind of struggled in some areas.
“He struggled in mainstream primary school. Later, he attended a school that focuses on social and behavioral development. It was a huge success. Josh was a great help.
William Eaglestone, the prosecutor, had told a previous trial that the victim had tried pushing him away. But he was just too strong so he put all of her body weight on her’. He then told her to good girl’ and stay there’
He said that he went to secondary school in the mainstream because he wasn’t approved for BSD school anymore. That is when his criminal behavior began.
Mr Bryan also mentioned that Gnr Holt – now retired from the Army – had used his time at The Military Corretive Training Centre, Colchester, Essex to reflect on his past and his issues and possibly address them.
Judge Advocate General Alan Large stated: “My view is that he is maturing and is making progress in Colchester.”
Gnr Holt was sentenced to a three-month and four-month sentences for the two sexual assaults. He was also placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.
Gnr Holt was sentenced to an additional three months imprisonment for actual bodily injury and criminal damage. He had previously pleaded guilty to punching and kicking another woman at Chelmsford Crown court.
Gunner Holt was also charged with raping a female colleague and holding a knife at her throat. However, he was acquitted of those charges in July.