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British fashion designer James Holder, who co-founded the Superdry brand, has been found guilty by a jury. The verdict came after a five-day trial.
May 1, 2026, 4:26 p.mMay 1, 2026, 4:26 p.m
James Holder, 54, was found guilty of rape by a jury of seven men and five women at Gloucester Crown Court. The incident occurred in May 2022 in Cheltenham, England. Holder was out with acquaintances that evening and ended up in a woman’s apartment, where he attacked her. Another acquittal followed: Holder was acquitted of a second charge – sexual assault through penetration.
A request from his defense for bail to sort out personal matters and say goodbye to the family was rejected by Judge David Chidgey. Holder is too high a flight risk due to his “significant financial resources”.
Evening ended in the victim’s apartment
According to the indictment, Holder spontaneously went out on May 6, 2022. A witness said she called a separate taxi for Holder and the later victim – but Holder got into the woman’s taxi. When he arrived at her apartment, he fell asleep on her bed while a companion occupied the sofa. The victim lay down on the floor.
Prosecutor James Haskell told the court how Holder appeared in the living room that night and asked the woman to come to his bedroom. When she refused, he pulled her to the bed. He continued to grope her and pulled off her underclothes, which she tried to prevent. “At one point she started crying – but he didn’t stop,” the prosecution said. The woman finally managed to free herself and leave the room. Holder left the apartment shortly afterwards.
Voluntarily appeared at the police station
The victim filed a report and was interviewed by investigators via video in July 2022. Holder also appeared voluntarily for police questioning, in which he spoke of his attraction to women and his attitude toward alcohol, according to court records. He said his instinct was to “protect women.”
Superdry distances itself
Holder founded Superdry with Julian Dunkerton in 2003. The company said Holder left the fashion brand as a director and employee in 2016 and a consulting mandate ended in 2019. “The case relates to an incident in 2022, long after any role at Superdry,” a spokesman said.
The Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Center (GRASAC) described the case as a stark reminder that sexual violence can also come from people with power, wealth and social status. Executive director Sharne Maher praised the victim’s courage in reporting the incident.
Sentencing will take place at Bristol Crown Court on May 7. (mke)