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Wealthy ex-Superdry boss convicted of rape, denied bail

5/2/2026

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James Holder Convicted

A Gloucester Crown Court judge denied bail, calling James Holder a clearly flight risk because of his significant wealth.
A jury found James Holder guilty of rape and acquitted him of assault by penetration in England.
Prosecutors showed bruised-wrist photographs to document the victim’s injuries.
Superdry clarified the conviction concerns an incident that occurred after Holder left the company in 2016.

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James Holder Convicted

Superdry, co-founded by James Holder, was delisted from the London Stock Exchange in 2024 and renamed Superdry & Co.
A jury convicted James Holder of raping a woman in Cheltenham in 2022, keeping him in custody awaiting sentencing.
The court denied bail after the May 1 verdict, keeping him detained until sentencing next week.
Holder, 54, launched Superdry in 2003, with brand’s sales decline contributing to its 2024 delisting.

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James Holder Convicted

A Gloucester Crown Court judge denied bail, calling James Holder a clearly flight risk because of his significant wealth.
A jury found James Holder guilty of rape and acquitted him of assault by penetration in England.
Prosecutors showed bruised-wrist photographs to document the victim’s injuries.
Superdry clarified the conviction concerns an incident that occurred after Holder left the company in 2016.

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