‘Predatory’ Army officer sacked after sex assault conviction

A drunken officer who sexually assaulted a future Sandhurst Military Academy cadet has been sacked from the Army and branded a “predator”.

Captain Dominic Moore, 30, attacked the woman at a formal Army dinner being hosted by fellow officers from the Scotland-based Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

The court martial in Bulford, Wiltshire, heard Capt Moore pulled the woman into toilets, touched her and tried to kiss her on the lips.

She reported the incident to another officer and Capt Moore, of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, was charged with sexual assault.

He denied the offence but was convicted by a court martial board after a trial earlier this year.

At a sentencing hearing, the board heard the offence had affected the victim’s personal relationships.

William Peters, prosecuting, said knowledge of the incident had circulated among other military personnel after she later joined the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

“She was humiliated by one of the directing staff and shunned by her colleagues and they operated on the basis she made a false complaint,” he told the court.

“This left her hurt, vulnerable and alone. She took time off for stress as a direct result of this incident.”

Capt Moore joined the Army six years ago and was predicted to have a promising military career as he spoke Arabic and had studied Farsi at university.

He had also volunteered for UK special forces selection, which was on hold pending the outcome of these proceedings, the court heard.

Natasha Wong QC, defending, urged the board to impose a reduction in rank rather than dismissal.

“He has suffered the shame of being accused and convicted of a sexual offence,” she said.

“That for a man of 30 with a promising career and otherwise exceptional talent and background is deeply serious and akin to a sentence itself.”

Miss Wong said character references in support of Capt Moore had spoken of a “man who is worthy of remaining within the service”.

“It is something that he is going to have to face for the rest of his life – nothing can take away the shame,” she said.

“To take away his valuable role and take away his reason for living – to be in the armed forces – is in my submission wholly out of proportion to the circumstances of the conviction.”

Miss Wong said that if Capt Moore was dismissed from the Army it would be “a terrible loss to this country”.

“Everybody knows of this case and the shame which is already stamped on his head is not going to go away,” she added.

Passing sentence, Assistant Judge Advocate General Alistair McGrigor said Capt Moore had initially flirted with the woman before “monopolising” her.

“As the host, your behaviour towards a civilian was predatory. She was a guest and should be protected from such behaviour,” he said.

“You are clearly a good and useful officer when on regular duties. In the context of a social situation you behaved opportunistically and had a complete lack of regard for sexual boundaries.

“This matter is too serious for a reduction in rank. This behaviour is not compatible with service life.”

The court martial board dismissed Capt Moore from the Army.