The distinguished military career of Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Stephens, a highly decorated intelligence officer, has been irrevocably tarnished by a conviction for sexual assault. Stephens, a recipient of the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for extraordinary bravery in Afghanistan, now faces the prospect of imprisonment for groping a junior female officer while stationed in Dubai. The incident occurred following a night of heavy drinking, during which Stephens consumed a significant amount of alcohol, including four pints of beer, six cocktails, and six shots. The assault took place as they were leaving a restaurant, with Stephens reportedly telling the victim, “I want you,” and then questioning her about whether she felt intimidated by him.
The victim, a rookie non-commissioned officer (NCO), testified that Stephens had repeatedly offered her his arm, which she reluctantly accepted. She described his behavior as increasingly unsettling, noting how he flexed his biceps and made her feel uncomfortable. The assault itself involved Stephens touching her inappropriately in the genital area, over her clothing. The incident deeply distressed the young officer, who subsequently reported the assault to the authorities. Despite Stephens’s claims that his excessive drinking led to a memory lapse of the evening’s events, and his insistence that the victim was not his “type,” the military court found him guilty, effectively ending his once-promising career.
The court proceedings, held at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, revealed the stark contrast between Stephens’s heroic past and his current disgrace. His Gallantry Medal, awarded in 2011, recognized his courageous attempts to save comrades after their Ridgeback armoured vehicle plunged into a 20-foot-deep canal in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. During the 2010 incident, Stephens, a graduate of the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, held his breath for an astonishing two minutes to escape the submerged vehicle, then repeatedly dove back down to rescue his trapped colleagues, all while under heavy enemy fire. Four soldiers tragically lost their lives in the incident, but Stephens, despite his own near-death experience, returned to frontline duty with 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment after a brief hospitalization.
The court heard how the trauma of the Afghanistan incident exacerbated a pre-existing drinking problem that had plagued Stephens since 2004. This struggle with alcohol ultimately played a significant role in the events leading to his downfall in Dubai. The incident in Dubai, which took place on April 17th of the previous year, involved Stephens, the victim, and another Lieutenant Colonel enjoying drinks together. The assault occurred shortly after the other officer excused himself to use the restroom.
The devastating consequences of Stephens’s actions extend beyond the immediate impact on his career and the trauma inflicted on the victim. His conviction tarnishes the reputation of the military, particularly the intelligence corps, and undermines the trust placed in officers to uphold the highest standards of conduct. The case also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by armed forces worldwide in addressing issues related to alcohol abuse and sexual harassment within their ranks.
Stephens’s conviction serves as a stark reminder that even individuals with distinguished service records are not immune to making grave errors in judgment. The fall from grace of this decorated war hero highlights the importance of accountability, regardless of rank or past accomplishments. The judge advocate, Edward Legard, made it clear that Stephens should not expect leniency, stating that he made “no promises as to what the outcome will be.” The final sentencing will determine the full extent of the legal repercussions Stephens will face for his actions, marking a somber end to a once-illustrious military career. His case serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of alcohol abuse and the devastating consequences of failing to maintain professional conduct, even while off duty.
