A senior British military officer, decorated for his heroism in Afghanistan, is facing prison time after being found guilty of groping a female colleague.
Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Stephens, 44, who was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Gallantry Medal for bravery in 2011, assaulted a young NCO during a boozy night out in Dubai, a court heard.
Stephens, who was serving with the British Defence Staff at the time, had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol, including four pints, six cocktails, and six shots, before the incident in April 2022.
As the pair left a restaurant late in the evening, Stephens made a crude remark to the woman, saying: ‘I want you.’ Moments later, he groped her while making an unsettling comment: ‘Are you intimidated by me?’
Despite claiming he was too intoxicated to remember the assault, Stephens insisted he wouldn’t have targeted the soldier, as she ‘wasn’t his type.’
However, the court found him guilty of sexual assault after hearing testimony from the victim, who described feeling uncomfortable with his advances.
Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Stephens, 44, who was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Gallantry Medal for bravery in 2011, assaulted a young NCO during a boozy night out in Dubai , a court heard

Stephens being decorated with Queen’s Gallantry Medal, by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in central London during an Investiture Ceremony in 2011
The decorated officer, who served in Helmand during a traumatic mission where his actions saved lives, has seen his once-promising career collapse.
In 2011, Stephens was praised for his courage after a deadly ambush in Afghanistan, where he braved enemy fire to save comrades trapped in a submerged vehicle.
However, the court in Catterick, North Yorkshire, was told that Stephens’ military career had been marred by a long-standing battle with alcohol, exacerbated by the horrors he witnessed on the frontline.
The assault took place after an evening of drinking with the female officer and another Lieutenant Colonel.
As the trio left the restaurant, the third officer went to the bathroom, and the victim reluctantly linked arms with Stephens when he repeatedly offered it to her.

Although Stephens denied the sexual assault charge, a military court panel found him guilty. He now faces sentencing at a later date

Stephens (second from right), who was serving with the British Defence Staff at the time, had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol , including four pints, six cocktails, and six shots, before the incident in April 2022
Later, the victim recounted her experience to police, saying: ‘He was flexing his biceps, and I thought that was a bit weird. He was laughing, and then he touched me on the front of my jeans in a private area.’
Although Stephens denied the sexual assault charge, a military court panel found him guilty. He now faces sentencing at a later date.
Judge Advocate Edward Legard told Stephens: ‘I make no promises as to what the outcome will be.’
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