US airman appears in court to face rape charges on RAF Croughton base in Northamptonshire

A US airman charged with three counts of rape at an RAF base has appeared in court.

Lee Bogstad is accused of raping a UK citizen at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire between November 2020 and February 2021.

The 22-year-old, of RAF Croughton, appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, wearing an open collar light blue shirt, chinos and glasses.

He sat on the back bench as there was no dock in the court and spoke to confirm his age and address and give his name as “Kieran Lee Bogstad”.

He did not enter any pleas during the brief preliminary “sending” hearing.

District Judge Amar Mehta said he was charged with offences which can only be tried in the Crown Court.

He adjourned proceedings ahead of Bogstad’s next appearance at Northampton Crown Court on August 10.

Bogstad was granted conditional bail and, having already surrendered his passport, must not leave the country or contact the complainant, the court heard.

Asked if he understood the conditions, he told the judge “yes sir” and “thank you, sir”.

Bogstad was represented by Sam Clarke, with Yemi Alli prosecuting.

Northamptonshire Police previously said it had led the investigation with the “full co-operation” of the United States Air Force.

RAF Croughton is home to the 422nd Air Base Group and operates one of Europe's largest military switchboards, processing around a third of all US military communications in Europe.

The station became the focus of international attention previously after US citizen Anne Sacoolas, who worked there, killed a teenage motorcyclist while driving on the wrong side of the road outside the base in August 2019.

She was given an eight-month suspended sentence for careless driving after admitting causing the death of Harry Dunn, 19.

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