Superdry Founder James Holder Convicted of Sexual Assault in Cheltenham
54-year-old fashion tycoon found guilty by jury of sexually assaulting woman at her flat in May 2022; victim cried but he didn't stop, court hears
James Holder, the fashion tycoon who co-founded Superdry, has been convicted of sexually assaulting a woman at her flat. The 54-year-old was found guilty by a jury of seven men and five women after a five-day trial at Gloucester Crown Court, sitting in Cirencester.
The court heard Holder had been on an "impromptu night out" on 6 May 2022 which ended at the woman's flat in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. A witness said she had called a taxi for Holder and a separate one for the victim, but Holder had then got into the back of the victim's taxi, destined for her home address.
The court heard Holder had fallen asleep on the woman's bed while his friend took up the sofa in her living room, so she slept on the floor. James Haskell, prosecuting, said Holder appeared at the living room doorway and asked her to join him in the bedroom, but she said "no, she was tired and she said he pulled her on the bed".
"He continued to touch" the victim, Haskell said, describing him pulling off her lower clothing, which she "tried to stop". "At one point she remembered starting to cry but even then he didn't stop."
The jury was told the woman managed to escape from Holder and left the bedroom. He left the flat shortly afterwards. The victim reported the allegations to the police and gave a video-recorded interview to detectives in July 2022.
Holder attended a voluntary interview with police in 2022, and spoke of his love of women and sex. The married father-of-two said his instinct was to "protect [the victim] and women", and told detectives he could "handle alcohol well".
Holder was found not guilty of a charge of assault by penetration. Recorder David Chidgey dismissed Holder's application for bail to get his affairs in order and say goodbye to his family, stating he was too much of a flight risk due to his "significant resources".
In a statement, Superdry said Holder resigned as a director and employee of the fashion brand in 2016, and a consultancy arrangement ended in 2019. "The case relates to an incident in 2022, long after any role with Superdry had ended," a spokesperson said.
Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC), which supports victims across the county, said the case was "a stark reminder that sexual violence can be perpetrated by people who are powerful, wealthy, and well‑known in our communities". CEO Sharne Maher said: "Our thoughts are firmly with the survivor, whose courage in coming forward should never be underestimated."
