A Royal Air Force corporal accused of raping a junior colleague while watching the Barbie movie has been cleared of all charges.
Corporal Liam Avenell, 37, was alleged to have invited a younger female colleague to his room at RAF Brize Norton to watch the 2023 Hollywood film, before forcibly kissing her and holding her face down. However, following a four-day trial at Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire, he was acquitted of one count of rape.
The court heard that Cpl Avenell and his junior were no more than work colleagues, and she considered it normal when he invited her to his room. He was accused of telling her to bring her toothbrush and everything needed to stay the night, which she did in a state of shock.
Prosecutors claimed he then forced himself on the woman, leaving her traumatised. Cpl Avenell was also alleged to have sent photos the next day of bruises she had supposedly inflicted while trying to push him away.
He denied the allegations and was acquitted by a panel of military officers. At the time of the alleged incident, Cpl Avenell was stationed at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and worked aboard the RAF Voyager, the UK's sole air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport aircraft.
