FORMER HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH EXECUTIVE OFFICER WHO APPEARED ON BBC DOCUMENTARY CHARGED WITH RAPE
A former deputy officer on a Royal Navy aircraft carrier is preparing to stand trial at Bulford Military Court.Captain Chris Ansell, who previously held the role of Executive Officer aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, faces multiple criminal charges related to sexual offences, including rape, sexual assault by penetration, and attempted sexual assault.
At 49 years old, he is believed to be the highest-ranked Navy officer ever to be charged with such offences.
His service on the 65,000-tonne ship spanned from November 2020 to February 2022.
During this period, the vessel took part in the United Kingdom’s inaugural Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific and South China Sea regions.
Captain Ansell was featured in the BBC documentary titled The Warship: Tour of Duty during the deployment.
His naval career also includes command of HMS St Albans and experience serving on submarines prior to transitioning to surface ships.
According to official court documents from the Ministry of Defence, Captain Ansell is scheduled to appear for a Plea and Preparation Hearing at Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire on the morning of June 18.
