A British Army Officer Cadet, Max Gibbins, educated at Cambridge University, has been sentenced after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two female trainees during a training course at Sandhurst Royal Military Academy. The incident, which took place during a group training session in the Lake District, Cumbria, has left the victims, both in their 20s, severely affected by the trauma.
In March 2023, Gibbins, along with two male cadets and two female cadets, had been drinking and were staying in an Airbnb accommodation. The group was sharing a bed when Gibbins took advantage of the vulnerable situation. One of the victims was asleep when Gibbins allegedly groped her by forcefully grabbing her breast and moving his hand towards his pelvis. The victim immediately fled the bed in distress, but the second victim, who had been in the bed with Gibbins after the first woman fled, became his next target. Gibbins allegedly kissed her before placing his hand between her legs and rubbing her underwear despite her repeated pleas for him to stop.
The assault led to Gibbins being removed from his training course just a week before his scheduled graduation from Sandhurst. His actions led to his court appearance at Bulford Military Court, where he admitted to two charges of sexual assault. Despite the severity of his crimes, Gibbins was handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. In addition, he was ordered to pay £1,000 to each victim, complete 220 hours of unpaid work, attend 10 rehabilitation sessions, and sign the sex offender’s register for seven years.
Prosecutor Rupert Gregory described the incident as an “abuse of trust” and highlighted the vulnerability of the victims, who had expected to be safe and respected while staying in the shared accommodation. Gregory noted that the victims were particularly vulnerable because they were in bed at the time, one of them asleep. Gibbins’ actions, he said, violated the fundamental trust required within the military academy.
During the trial, Gibbins, who studied physics at Cambridge before joining the Army, claimed that he did not remember the first assault but alleged that the second assault was a “consensual” kiss that he stopped when asked. In his interview with the Royal Military Police, he stated that he pulled the second victim in for a cuddle because she had asked him to “save me.”
The victims, in their impact statements, expressed the deep emotional and psychological toll the assault had on them. The first victim revealed she felt like a “caged bird” at Sandhurst due to Gibbins’ presence and distanced herself from her family and peers out of shame. The second victim shared that she had developed severe anxiety, including panic attacks, and now struggled with intimacy in her personal life. Both women expressed how the assault shattered their confidence and left them traumatised, with long-term effects on their mental health.
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In his defence, Gibbins’ barrister, Matthew Bolt, described the assault as a brief but unpleasant incident, emphasising that his client was “profoundly sorry” and had taken steps to address his behaviour, including quitting alcohol and seeking relationship counselling. However, Assistant Judge Advocate General Jane England rejected these arguments, stressing that Gibbins’ actions had destroyed the bonds of comradeship and trust built during the cadet training. “Both victims had every right to trust you and to expect respect, but you did not show them that respect,” she said.
The case has raised serious concerns regarding the prevalence of sexual misconduct within the military and the erosion of trust within training environments. Gibbins’ actions have not only devastated the victims but also tarnished the reputation of one of the UK’s most prestigious military institutions, Sandhurst Royal Military Academy.
The sentencing has sparked debate over whether the punishment is sufficient given the severity of the crime and its impact on the victims’ lives. Critics argue that such offences should be met with stricter penalties, especially when committed by individuals in positions of responsibility and trust, like officer cadets in the British Army.
As part of his sentencing, Gibbins must complete rehabilitation and will remain on the sex offender’s register for seven years. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe environment within the military and the need for continued efforts to address sexual misconduct across all sectors.
