An RAF corporal is accused of raping a junior colleague while they watched the Barbie movie in his room, with the alleged victim claiming he held her face down and forcibly kissed her.
Alleged Incident at RAF Brize Norton
Liam Avenell, 37, invited the younger servicewoman to watch the 2023 hit film in his quarters before the alleged attack, which left her traumatised and feeling weak, a court martial heard. The pair, described as 'no more than colleagues,' had met for a walk earlier that day before he suggested watching the movie.
The servicewoman told Bulford Military Court that she believed they were 'just two friends' watching a film together. However, the prosecution alleges that after moving from the sofa to the bed, Avenell forcefully kissed her despite her saying no multiple times, then removed her clothes and raped her.
Victim's Account
In a statement, the woman said: 'It all happened so quickly. When I tried to push him off me it needed force I couldn't possibly give. I felt so weak. I felt like I had no strength left.' After the alleged rape, Avenell told her to stay the night because 'he needed a sleepover,' and she complied in a state of shock.
Two days later, he sent her photos of small bruises on his chest, which she believes she caused while trying to push him away. The prosecutor stated: 'She tried to push him off. Afterwards he told her to get her toothbrush and stay with him and she did in a state of shock.'
Reporting the Attack
The victim did not immediately report the incident, fearing how Avenell would react. However, she confided in her parents and an officer not based at RAF Brize Norton before eventually contacting the police. 'I just don't want this to happen to anyone else,' she said.
Avenell, who denies the charge of rape, is standing trial at Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire. The trial continues.
