British Lance Corporal accused of raping woman soldier serving with UK forces in Cyprus

Published: 10:44 EST, 11 November 2026 | Updated: 11:10 EST, 11 November 2026 A British Army serviceman has been charged with raping a female soldier while stationed in Cyprus. Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne was charged with one count of rape on October 23, the Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) said.The 35-year-old suspect serves with the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, which is based at Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the Mediterranean island. He was arrested on October 19, two days after the DSCC was informed of the alleged rape against a woman serving in the British Forces Cyprus, which is part of the Army.LCpl Horne was remanded in custody pending a court-martial hearing, DSCC said.The charge comes after an investigation of the DSCC's Major Crime Team, carried with Service Police partners.The DSCC said anyone affected by sexual offences in the armed forces is encouraged to contact them.Lance Corporal is the second lowest soldier rank in the British Army and typically involves the commanding a team of around four people, according to the Army's website. Pictured: RAF Akrotiri, one of the areas where British troops are based The alleged incident comes as the military vowed to crack down sexual misconduct within the armed forces.It follows a string of high-profile cases against women in recent years which have left top brass outraged. In January a major police probe was launched after 500 people reported being sexually abused during military medical examinations over the course of almost five decades. The incidents reportedly took place at bases across the UK from the 1970s to 2016, said Wiltshire Police.Last year the Ministry of Defence published its first military-wide 'sexualised behaviour and sexual harassment survey'.The damning study revealed almost two-thirds of woman in the forces had been victims of lewd behaviour by comrades, including groping and sexual activity 'they did not consent to'.