The Royal Navy allegedly suppressed a crewman's complaint of sexual assault by a senior officer, a court has heard. Charles Howeson, 67, a former lieutenant commander, is accused of groping the man aboard HMS Cleopatra in 1985.
The alleged victim told Bristol Crown Court that the assault was reported to the navy, but no action was taken because they 'wanted to keep it quiet'. The crewman, who cannot be named, said he was called to Howeson's cabin under the pretext of a man overboard exercise.
As they carried a large dummy upstairs, Howeson was 'groping' him in a 'disgusting revolting incident', the man testified. Defence barrister Daniel Janner QC challenged the account, stating: 'I put it to you there was no groping at all.'
The complainant said he only learned last year that no formal action had been taken, having believed Howeson was dismissed from the service. 'The navy didn't want that to happen here because it would have looked bad,' he said. 'Here he is groping a sailor, the last thing the navy would want would be any scandal in the service.'
Howeson denies 11 counts of indecent assault and one other serious sexual offence against nine boys and men between December 1985 and September 1994. The trial continues.
