Superdry co-founder James Holder sentenced to 8 years for rape

James Holder, 54, had gone back to the woman’s home, went to the toilet and then promptly fell asleep on her bed snoring.

The multi-millionaire fashion boss then woke up and beckoned the woman, who was trying to sleep in the lounge, into her bedroom and raped her.

Holder had denied charges of assault by penetration and rape and said what sexual activity took place between them was consensual.

A jury at Gloucester Crown Court, sitting in Cirencester, acquitted Holder of assault by penetration but found him guilty of rape after deliberating for four hours.

The defendant, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, was remanded into custody ahead of sentencing at Bristol Crown Court today (May 7).

At Bristol Crown Court today, Recorder David Chidgey told Holder that he had committed a “despicable piece of sexual violence”, reports the BBC.

Holder appeared via video link from prison and was said to have shown no reaction when the sentence was given.

Holder’s victim said, in a statement read to the court, he had taken her “choice, dignity and body”.

She added: “What you did that day has followed me, it has cast shadows where there should be light.”