After a party with prosecco, a Navy sailor was convicted yesterday of raping a female friend.
William Stewart, an Able Seaman, attacked the woman when she removed her bra from her body and began to shower her male shipmates in fizz.
These two were among a group that was out to celebrate her birthday and then returned to the Holiday Inn. Bulford Military Court heard.
After someone called out “naked mess”, several sailors stripped off their tops and received prosecco spray. Stewart then went to another room where they could change.
According to the victim, she found 26-year-old engineer technician fondling her breasts when she woke up. The victim claimed that he sexually assaulted another male seaman before she was raped.
Stewart was found guilty for rape and assault, as well as causing another person to engage sexual activity. Stewart will be sentenced in the next month.
After the female stripped to her bra and showedered half-naked shipmates with fizz, Able Seaman William Stewart (pictured), attacked her. He then ‘crashed on her bed’
This happened while the sailors were undergoing maintenance.
Michael Saunders was the one who prosecuted. The men had all had significant amounts to drink. [The female victim]As it was her birthday, she was presented with a bottle prosecco.
‘[Videos from the conference room]Please show [her]Pouring her prosecco on herself, and then onto some men with their tops down on the ground. AB Stewart was one of the men.
The court heard evidence from the female sailor who could not be identified for legal reasons. She said: “It was my birthday on the next day.” That was the reason we were there, and also a few others were promoted.
“We had all been drinking and we were having a great time. [Later on]All of us were in the conference room and ordered pizza.
“Naked mess” was the scream. It was not tops. We all had some prosecco, and I was a little wet. [from]The alcohol
“I can recall people lying on the ground when I had my prosecco…” I remember being able to stand up and hold the bottle.
Stewart, an engineer technician she didn’t know, later awakened to the woman who was’scared’ and confused. He ‘fondled’ her breasts before touching her.
Stewart, according to Sherry, moved over to the other side to sexually assault a man who was asleep. Then she returned to Stewart.
Stewart stated to the court martial that all sexual activity between sailors and Stewart was consented to by the men.
Stewart was found guilty in rape, assault, and causing another person to engage sexual activity. Stewart will be sentenced in the next few days