British soldier charged with rape in Cyprus

A British soldier, Lance Corporal Nicholas Horne of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (The Highlanders), is currently in custody after being charged with the rape of a female service member serving in the British forces in Cyprus. The authorities were notified of the alleged incident on October 17, 2026, leading to Horne's arrest on October 19 and the formal filing of a rape charge on October 23, 2026.

The investigation into the incident is being conducted by the Defense Serious Crime Unit in collaboration with the military police. A representative for the British Army confirmed the ongoing legal proceedings but declined to provide further comments, citing the sensitivity of the pending court-martial process. The suspect remains in detention awaiting his appearance before a military tribunal to address the criminal allegations brought against him within the framework of the British military justice system.