A Royal Marines captain is currently standing trial at Bournemouth Crown Court for alleged offenses including rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration, and sexual assault stemming from an incident on November 24, 2023. The court heard that the defendant, Ricky Shepherd, 47, is accused of raping a woman at a military base despite her explicit objections. According to the prosecution, Shepherd met the complainant at a bar on the base in Dorset where she had been socializing. After she decided to sleep on a sofa in the mess, she informed Shepherd of her intention. Despite her clear statements that she just wanted to sleep, Shepherd allegedly persisted in his advances, inviting her to stay in his room and making unwelcome sexual advances. The complainant reported feeling uncomfortable as Shepherd continued to pressure her for sexual activity, ignoring her refusals and attempts to stop him. The prosecution further detailed that Shepherd disregarded the woman’s repeated objections and physically restrained her while attempting to engage in sexual acts. The complainant eventually sought help and reported the incident to authorities, leading to the ongoing trial where Shepherd denies all charges. The court also heard that the complainant disclosed the incident to two individuals the next day and sought medical attention at a sexual assault referral center, where evidence of bruising was documented. The trial is ongoing as the legal proceedings unfold.