‘Predatory’ Scots army captain 'pestered and sexually assaulted female private'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Scots intelligence officer behaved in a “predatory” manner towards a female private he allegedly pursued and sexually assaulted at a regimental dinner, a military court has been told.The recruit, who had joined the Army less than two years previously, told how Captain Ruaridh Wedgwood slapped her bottom and told her: “You’re coming back with me tonight.”Wedgwood had pursued her throughout the evening, becoming progressively more drunk at a black tie dinner to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Adjutant General’s Corps, it is alleged.The “happily married” officer followed her to the toilets, from table to table and to a smoking area up to 20 times throughout the dinner in the sergeant’s mess at a barracks in Northern Ireland last April, the court martial board was told.She told how he tried to kiss her numerous times, moving her chin towards him with his hand on one occasion.The soldier became so concerned, she reported the matter to the camp orderlies and claimed Wedgwood ran away when confronted.

The military court at Catterick, North Yorkshire, was told the captain was “trying to play catch up” after arriving at his dinner late due to a hospital appointment.Scots-born Wedgwood, who was then captain of an infantry regiment but is now with 1st Military Intelligence, denies a single charge of sexual assault.He claims the private tried to kiss him and was angry when he rejected her.

But the complainant told the hearing things became “weird” when Wedgwood began drinking.She said: “He said to me, ‘Private, could I have a word with you?’ Then the inappropriate comments started.

Multiple times... he tried to kiss me and that was refused.”She said that at various times in the evening the captain would arrive to stand