The case of Sarah Steele, a British woman assaulted by US airman Jacob Wulfson in late 2023, has sparked concerns over the US military justice system operating in the UK. Despite the crime occurring off-duty and off-base in an English city, US military police took charge of the investigation, and Wulfson was prosecuted in a US court martial rather than in British courts. Downing Street described the situation as "very concerning," and the Ministry of Justice has pledged to investigate.
Details of the Assault and Court Martial
Dr Steele waived her anonymity to share her experience with the Guardian, describing the process as "distressing and degrading." Wulfson was convicted of strangling an intimate partner but acquitted of sexual assault and "aggravated sexual contact" by an all-male panel of air force officers stationed at RAF Lakenheath. Legal experts noted that the latter offence would likely have been categorized as rape in a British court. Dr Steele faced invasive and aggressive questioning, while her attacker chose not to testify.
Scope of US Military Jurisdiction in the UK
More than 12,000 US personnel are stationed across 15 bases and facilities in Britain. Under a 1951 agreement, the US prosecutes its personnel for offences committed while on duty or against other US personnel, US property, or dependants such as spouses or children. However, the Guardian has identified scores of courts martial convictions in the UK over the past decade, including for child sexual abuse, violent attacks, and drink-driving, many involving British victims and occurring off-base.
Concerns Over Transparency and Accountability
British authorities are required to give "sympathetic" consideration to US requests to take over cases, often allowing the military to do so. Critics argue that British police and prosecutors should be more wary of relinquishing cases, especially when they involve British victims and occur off-base. Dr Steele has urged that police seek the views of victim-survivors before handing over cases and formally record their decisions. There is currently no central record of such cases or their outcomes.
Broader Implications for US-UK Relations
The case raises questions about how US military justice on British soil serves the interests of the host nation. The current US administration has shown reluctance toward military transparency, and its overseas bases face increasing scrutiny. In the long term, maintaining public acceptance of these facilities may require greater accountability and oversight.
