UK Reviews US Military Cases After Rape Prosecutions Bypass UK Courts

The UK government and police chiefs have launched a review into why British forces hand over investigations of serious crimes involving US military personnel to American authorities. The move follows reports that victims of sexual offences are seeing their attackers prosecuted under US military law, not UK courts.

The review was triggered after The Guardian revealed cases where British police allowed US military investigators to take control of rape and sexual assault allegations. In one case, a US fighter pilot convicted of strangling a British woman was tried by a US court martial at RAF Lakenheath, not a UK court.

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Victims Face US Military Courts, Not UK Justice

Sarah Steele, a British woman, reported being raped and strangled by US Air Force Captain Jacob Wulfson in 2025. Cambridgeshire Police handed the case to US military police. Wulfson was convicted of strangling an intimate partner but acquitted of sexual assault by an all-male panel of US Air Force officers. He received a six-month sentence, served at RAF Lakenheath.

The Guardian reported that US military law defines rape more narrowly than UK law. This has led to cases being charged as sexual assault instead. In another case, US Airman Tyrion Davis was convicted of one count of sexual assault but acquitted of 10 other charges, including allegations of raping two British women.

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James Loubeau, accused of multiple rapes and sexual assaults in East Anglia, was tried by a US court martial for allegations from one victim. He was acquitted but later convicted in the US for attacking another woman. Suffolk Police handed the case to US military prosecutors 11 days after two British women reported being drugged and raped.

Police and Government Respond

A government spokesperson told The Guardian that ministers had met Steele to discuss her case. They said officials were working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to review guidance on referring cases to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The Foreign Office stated it was engaging with the US on the Wulfson case.

“We are committed to identifying and learning any lessons from this case to ensure that victims are supported and treated with the seriousness, dignity and compassion they deserve.”

UK Government spokesperson

Gavin Stephens, chair of the NPCC, wrote to all chief constables in England and Wales to remind them of their legal obligations in cases involving US military personnel. A government source told The Guardian that ministers were concerned UK police may not be consulting the CPS before handing cases to US authorities.

Under a 1950s agreement, US military personnel can be prosecuted by US courts if the offence occurred on duty or involved military property or personnel. In other cases, UK police have the first right to investigate. The Guardian found that US authorities have pushed to take control of cases where they lack primary jurisdiction, and British police have complied.

Police Forces Conduct Internal Reviews

Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Police are reviewing their handling of cases involving US military personnel. Cambridgeshire Police said their review, led by the investigation standards department, would examine cases dating back to 2018. The force did not disclose how many cases it had identified.

Suffolk Police stated they were reviewing decision-making around transferring cases to the US Air Force. A spokesperson said the force was examining case transfer practices more broadly.

Political Pressure Grows

MPs from multiple parties have criticised the handling of cases involving US military personnel. Conservative justice spokesperson Nick Timothy said Wulfson should have been investigated by British police and prosecuted in UK courts. Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Jess Brown-Fuller said the public expected crimes committed in England to be prosecuted under English law.

It is unclear when the government and police reviews will conclude. The Home Office and Ministry of Justice have not set a timeline for changes to guidance or policy. The US Embassy in London has not responded to requests for comment on the cases or the UK government’s concerns.