A court martial heard that a British Army sniper sexually raped a sleeping female colleague after attending the burial of a fellow soldier.
During the attack, while he was intoxicated, 22-year-old Fusilier Jack Laing allegedly left his colleague ‘frozen’ in dread.
After entering her sleeping chamber while she was asleep, he began molesting her.
She initially told the court that she awoke with a ‘pleasant’ feeling and ‘butterflies in my stomach,’ believing that her lover was becoming sexual with her.
She felt “dirty, disgusted, and outraged” after realizing where she was and that Fus Laing was “taking advantage” of her while she slept on a yoga mat on the floor.
The accused victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has been suffering from “nightmares” since the incident, the court martial was informed.
During the attack, in which he had been drinking, 22-year-old Fusilier Jack Laing allegedly left his colleague “frozen” with dread.
The Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire heard how Fus Laing reportedly personally assaulted the woman after visiting her in her apartment’s spare room following a toast to their deceased colleague.
The 22-year-old sniper from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers denies sexually abusing her, stating that their relationship was consensual.
Prosecutor Wing Commander Michael Saunders stated at the trial, ‘The complainant claims she awoke in the spare room to Fus Laing’s fingers inside her. She initially believed it was her boyfriend.
Obviously, she could not consent while she was unconscious.
The court martial heard that following the funeral of a fellow Fusilier, the woman invited Fus Laing and several other male colleagues to stay at her apartment with her female acquaintance as a “last minute choice.”
Although there had been “a lot of alcohol” throughout the day and evening of the funeral, the sniper did not begin drinking until he arrived at his flat, while the woman had not been drinking.
Wing Commander Saunders continued, ‘[The woman] stated that no one could sleep in her double bed under any circumstances.
She retired to bed at 2:00 a.m., leaving the others to continue drinking.
The accused victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has been suffering from “nightmares” since the incident, the court martial was informed.
The court heard that she was “irritated” because another soldier had entered her room and fell asleep on her bed, on the duvet.
The court martial heard that she slept on a yoga mat on the floor of her spare room.
Wg Cdr Saunders stated, “Her next memory is waking up shortly before her alarm clock to see [Fus Laing] asleep next to her.”
‘The prosecution’s argument is that Fus Laing was intoxicated when he entered the room, slept close to her, and awoke at some point while she was sleeping.
Either he knew she was asleep or he didn’t bother to check in order to take advantage of the situation.
The woman testified, “I walked into the bedroom, retrieved a yoga mat, and slept on it.”
When asked about her subsequent memory, she answered, “Waking up to the sensation of ecstasy.”
“There were butterflies in my stomach.”
“[Fus Laing] was to blame for that. His hands were in my vagina.
Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire, heard how Fus Laing reportedly groped the woman intimately after joining her in the spare room of her flat following a celebration of their colleague’s life.
“At first, I mistook him for my lover, but then I realized where I was.
‘I froze I had no idea what to do.
I remained in that posture until my alarm went off, at which point I told him to cease.
I didn’t tell anyone what had happened; to be honest, I don’t think anything registered until a little while later.
Initially, I was more embarrassed than anything else.
The court heard that when the female soldier returned to camp, she suffered from restless nights due to “nightmares of what happened that night.”
Her platoon sergeant noted she was acting “strangely” the following week.
She told the court, “A few days later, he saw me and inquired about my well-being.”
I informed him I was still having trouble, and he encouraged me to visit him.
I tried not to respond when he asked what was going on, but when he replied “something’s wrong,” I informed him.
I felt filthy, repulsed, and enraged.
Fus Laing asserts that the woman was conscious and a “voluntary participant” in the sexual act.
He rejects the sexual assault by penetration charge.
The proceeding continues.