British fashion brand co-founder James Holder jailed for 8 years for rape after Cheltenham night out

James Holder, the co-founder of fashion brand Superdry, has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of raping a woman following a night out in the UK.

The incident took place in Cheltenham in May 2022 after Holder and a friend went to the woman’s home following a night out drinking. Prosecutors said Holder later raped the woman after waking up from a short sleep in her bedroom, Daily Mail reported.

The woman told the court she was crying and repeatedly asked Holder to stop during the assault.

Holder denied the allegation and claimed the sexual activity was consensual, but a jury found him guilty of rape. He was cleared of a separate charge of assault by penetration.

In a statement read in court, the woman said Holder had taken away her “choice, dignity and body”.

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

While sentencing Holder at Bristol Crown Court, Judge David Chidgey described the attack as a “despicable piece of sexual violence”.

The judge told Holder the assault showed a sense of “entitlement” and disregard for the victim’s right to make decisions about her own body.

Holder appeared in court through a video link from prison and showed no reaction as the sentence was handed down.