British Army sergeant avoids jail after sexually assaulting two Royal Marines at nuclear training site

A British Army Sergeant has avoided jail after he sexually assaulted two Royal Marines at the UK's nuclear warfare training site.

Sergeant Martin Leatherbarrow, 42, stroked a male Marine’s thigh and kissed his head while drunk one evening, a court martial heard.

That same evening, he groped a female Marine’s bottom and whispered “God, you’re so nice” in her ear.

Sgt Leatherbarrow has over 25 years of service and holds the Iraq medal and the operational service medal for Afghanistan.

Both attacks happened in a senior officers' mess at the Defence Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Centre, where Sgt Leatherbarrow was permanent staff.

The DCBRN Centre, in Winterbourne Gunner, Salisbury, Wilts, is responsible for delivering training on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear warfare to all UK armed forces.

At Bulford Military Court, Wilts, Sgt Leatherbarrow was handed an 18-month service community order with a requirement of 80 hours of unpaid work.

Prosecutor Lieutenant Colonel Neil Keery said that both Marines, who were unknown to each other, had been at the centre to attend a course.

“During the course of that evening, the defendant subjected them to unwelcome attention and sexually assaulted them both.”

Lt Col Keery said that Sgt Leatherbarrow became “emotional” while speaking to the male Marine about his experience in Afghanistan, before stroking the victim’s thigh.

Lt Col Keery said that the Marine tried to “shuffle” away and he pushed his elbows into his sides to push Sgt Leatherbarrow away from him.

He said: “The defendant put his arm around [the Marine's] shoulder, brought him in towards him and kissed the top of his head.”

The Marine reported this to people at the bar and said that Sgt Leatherbarrow had been “handsy with him”.

Lt Col Keery said that Sgt Leatherbarrow had also sexually assaulted a female Marine on the same evening.

After she moved into another room to avoid him, “he grabbed her bum on the right side and said in her ear, 'God, you're so nice'”.

Lt Col Keery said that both the Marines reported the incidents the next day.

He said: “The victims are junior in rank. They were both Marines, and the defendant was a sergeant at the time.”

In a victim personal statement, the male Marine said: “The incident itself, I felt emotionally used as I was giving emotional support.

“When I heard about my colleague's experience and how she was harassed by him, it changed my mind about the incident.

“To be told that he pleaded guilty at the last minute, although it was a great result, it was a kick in the teeth.”

Annabel Hazlitt, defending, said that Sgt Leatherbarrow pleaded guilty on the first day of trial.

She said that Sgt Leatherbarrow has now been medically discharged from the Army for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“This is a man who not only had good service, but you might think exemplary service, and was already facing a medical discharge for PTSD.

“He had known nothing else. This came at a time of the breakdown of his marriage, self-medication of alcohol, and discharge from the Army.”

Assistant Judge Advocate General John Atwill said that Sgt Leatherbarrow's actions were “deliberate, consistent and entirely unacceptable”.

Both of his acts were “deliberate acts of unwanted touching”, the judge said.

“The first victim said he felt shocked, confused, and vulnerable by your conduct.

“The second victim said she felt uncomfortable, and she removed herself from your presence, and she became visibly upset. Witnesses said they saw her crying after the incident.”

Judge Atwill said that if Sgt Leatherbarrow had still been in the military, he would have been discharged and reduced to a Private rank.

Judge Atwill said: “Your actions were deliberate, consistent and entirely unacceptable. Each victim made it clear through words, actions or demeanour that it was unwanted, but you continued.

“All of those who know you speak of your courage, commitment and dedication. Nothing we say today detracts from those achievements but cannot excuse criminal conduct.

“We are troubled to note that this conduct happened in the service mess. In effect, your home.

“Many cases are preceded by an excessive consumption of alcohol, and one which the unit personnel ought to reflect upon.

“This behaviour ought never to have happened.

“We consider this a tragic case and one for which many lessons can be learned by you, your chain of command and the services as a whole.”

Judge Atwill handed Sgt Leatherbarrow an 18-month service community order for both charges, with 80 hours of unpaid work to run concurrently.