A soldier serving in a Scottish regiment has been charged with the rape of a woman in the armed forces in Cyprus. Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne, of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland – known as The Highlanders – was charged on October 23 following the incident on the Mediterranean island.
Arrest and Investigation
The Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC), which investigates crimes involving military personnel, said LCpl Horne was arrested on October 19, two days after a report of rape against a woman serving with British Forces Cyprus. He has been remanded in custody pending a court-martial hearing.
Following the report, the DSCC’s Major Crime Team carried out an investigation alongside Service Police partners. The DSCC said it would encourage anyone affected by sexual offences in the armed forces to contact them.
Army Response
An Army spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne was charged with one count of rape, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2006, on October 23, 2026, following an investigation by the Defence Serious Crime Command.
“As this is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further. There is no place for criminal behaviour in the Army, and we recognise the great courage it takes to come forward and report an offence. Anyone convicted of a sexual offence will be discharged from the Service.”
Background
British Forces Cyprus are based on two Sovereign Base Areas on the island at Akrotiri near Limassol and Dhekelia near the UN buffer zone at Famagusta. Last year, it was announced that The Highlanders, previously based at Bourlon Barracks at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire for the last ten years, would relocate to Cyprus.
