Downing Street has expressed deep concern that US Air Force Captain Jacob Wulfson avoided trial under English law after strangling a woman in Cambridge, instead facing a court martial at a US airbase. The Prime Minister's official spokesman stated the government will 'look really carefully' at why the case never reached the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Case Details and Victim's Ordeal
Sarah Steele, an academic, met Cpt Wulfson on a dating app and arranged to meet at his flat while he was stationed at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. She later accused him of non-consensual sex, drugging, and strangling her. The case was investigated by US airbase police rather than local authorities.
Speaking about the trial, Ms Steele said: 'It was a very difficult system to be in, and at times I was treated incredibly aggressively, and I felt like I was on trial, and it became a character assassination.' She described being attacked with assertions that undermined her credibility.
Government Response and Legal Questions
The Prime Minister's spokesman said: 'This is clearly a deeply distressing case, our thoughts are with the victim. She's shown incredible bravery not only in her initial report to police, but also in coming forward to speak to the media to help get justice for others.' He added that it is 'very concerning that a case like this never reached the CPS, but was investigated by US airbase police and heard in front of an all-male panel of air force officers.'
Justice minister Jake Richards described the case as 'really serious' and said there are 'issues' around the military courts system. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I'm going to take it away back to the Ministry of Justice and make sure that we are looking into the details of this later.' He emphasised the need for a 'really thorough and objective look at this case.'
Court Martial and Sentencing
The judge in the court martial was a US air force colonel, and the jury consisted of eight air force officers. Some British terms had to be explained to the panel. Cpt Wulfson's 'enemies killed in action count' as an F-35 pilot was used as mitigation for his sentence. He was charged with sexual assault and aggravated sexual contact but was ultimately found guilty only of strangulation, acquitted of the other charges. He received a sentence of six months at a correctional facility at RAF Lakenheath.
Ms Steele's case would likely have been tried at a crown court if handled by the CPS. She called for clearer guidance on who should prosecute such cases, stating: 'I think it's really important that for the interests of justice and for the rights of victims, that we have clear framework discussion around this.'
There are approximately 12 active US air force bases across the UK. The US military justice system operates under a distinct legal framework, separate from British civilian courts.
