Navy chef lured colleague into ship’s scullery before locking door and assaulting him, court hears

A Royal Navy chef lured a sailor into a warship’s scullery before locking the door and sexually assaulting him, a court martial heard.

Able Seaman Liam Pritchard told his victim, who he had already groped on another occasion, he wanted to meet because he was suffering from a “low mood”.

The sailor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, “reluctantly agreed” to meet the 23-year-old in the HMS Northumberland’s scullery because he wanted to “help” him.

But when he got there, AB Pritchard locked the door and assaulted him. Over a 45-minute period, the “persistent” Navy chef subjected his colleague to a “prolonged detention” by asking to kiss and hug him, as well as grabbing his bottom.

AB Pritchard was convicted of the attack following a trial earlier this year and has been described as being “confused about his sexuality.”

Now, he has been kicked out of the Navy, handed a two-year suspended sentence and has been asked to pay £1,000 to his victim.

Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire heard that AB Pritchard – who joined the Navy in March 2022 – was working as a chef on the Type 23 frigate last year.

The vessel carries out a variety of maritime security operations, including counter-piracy, escort duties and boarding operations.

It was heard after AB Pritchard met his victim, who was also working on the ship, they began to exchange messages on Snapchat.

His colleague was told to be “open about his sexuality” and was under the impression the chef was straight, Assistant Judge Advocate Jane England said.

Last year, the chef shared a “consensual” drunken kiss with the seaman while on board the ship, it was heard.

The judge described an incident which took place in the summer of last year.

AB Pritchard was sat opposite his victim and began “touching his leg” with his, before moving over and groping his crotch 10 times.

The victim was “taken back” by what had happened. “He messaged you to tell you that what you had done was wrong,” the judge told AB Pritchard. “That should have been a warning to you.”

Later that month, AB Pritchard messaged his victim to ask him to meet up to discuss his mental health and “low mood.”

His shipmate “reluctantly agreed” to meet him because he “wanted to help,” the judge said.

“Once in the scullery you locked the door and removed the key. That was his only means of escape,” she said.

‘You were aggressive’

The judge said the pair were talking and AB Pritchard “kept asking” his colleague for another kiss, which he declined.

While locked in the room, the 23-year-old asked his colleague for a hug to which he “eventually” agreed to.

But, the seaman “took advantage of that” and “tried to undress him,” it was heard.

He placed his thumbs into his belt and groped his bottom over his trousers. “You were persistent and, in his view, quite aggressive,” the judge said to AB Pritchard.

The chef eventually lets his victim leave.

It was heard that AB Pritchard’s victim was left with depressive and suicidal thoughts after the assault in July last year.

Pritchard removed from Royal Navy

He said the events have had a “massive impact” on both his personal life and career – and he still suffers “flashbacks” of what happened this day.

Mitigating, Michael Green, said AB Pritchard “continues to deny these offenses.” AB Pritchard pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault but was convicted at a trial earlier this year.

Now, the chef has been removed from the Royal Navy and handed a six-year custodial sentence which has been suspended for two years.

Judge England told the chef: “You did (sexually assault him) on two separate occasions and it was clear that it was not what he wanted.”

She said “there’s more to being a sailor than being good at your job” including treating colleagues “with respect.”

Speaking of the victim, she said: “I hope that with help and time, he will come to realize that he is not to blame for these offenses and that he should have no need to feel shame.”

AB Pritchard will pay £1,000 compensation to his victim, carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and carry out 30 rehabilitation activity days.