US airman tried by US court martial over Cambridgeshire indecent‑exposure case

newsJul 7, 202625203

Hannes Marschalek, a 37-year-old US airman based at RAF Lakenheath, was tried by the US military after Cambridgeshire police handed their 2022 investigation to US authorities following an official American request. Police had arrested Marschalek on 9 October 2022 after complaints that he indecently exposed himself to a 16-year-old girl and three other women, aged up to 24, outside his home in Littleport; witnesses described him standing at the open doorway with his penis exposed and holding a mobile phone. Three weeks after his arrest the force agreed to cede the probe; military prosecutors say text messages in which Marschalek boasted “I definitely just flashed a couple ladies walking from the train. LOL” showed repeated offending. Marschalek, a staff sergeant, pleaded guilty as part of a negotiated deal at a 2023 court martial on the base, but this year a US military court quashed his conviction on technical grounds. Military lawyers for Marschalek denied he was a “serial flasher.” The case echoes the trial of Capt Jacob Wulfson and has prompted criticism because the incidents occurred on British soil while the servicemen were off duty, situations in which UK authorities should have primary jurisdiction.

Eliot Higgins

@eliothiggins.bsky.social

US airman accused of exposing himself to 16-year-old girl avoided British trial www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

8245d ago

Always in Boots4

There's quite a history of such cases, local police get a complaint, often hand over to MoD Police to go on base to question a suspect, suspect's CO or immediate superior assures they will remain restricted on base, next you know they've been "reassigned" stateside. NFA as too complicated.

Quoting this

Peter Brodersen17

Forsmag på amerikanske baser på dansk jord?

Natalie Bennett

@nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social

"Growing questions about prosecution of US military personnel for crimes on UK soil", which I raised yesterday in the #ArmedForcesBill and intend to pursue. It surely should be possible to stop this evasion of UK justice #VAWG www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

5145d ago

neilofsmeg.bsky.social4

Show him the red card! It's outrageous that the police cede their responsibility in this case

David Bruce 🇳🇬🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿2

It took centuries to eradicate Church Law and courts which allowed rapists, perverts, and assorted criminals to escape justice. Why did ukgov allow the yanks to install a modern day version?

vegankhan.bsky.social1

Tbh I am fed up being controlled by the us government they always use the same old excuses and any of their military or ordinary citizens get away with murder on our soil.

Quoting this

Ireland against Fascism19

The same is happening in every country the US has bases in. US soldiers committing crimes, and getting away with it. All US bases outside the US needs shutting down ASAP

paulusthewoodgnome

@paulusthewoodgnome.bsky.social

More colonial shit, courtesy of the special relationship. 'A US airman who allegedly exposed himself to a 16-year-old girl and 4 young women in England was able to avoid the British justice system after the US military was permitted to take control of the case.' www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

1745d ago

LawrieBhoy 🍀2

So, little tommeh bobbins and his band of flag shagging roundabout painting women protectors are currently rioting at RAF Lakenheath and the US embassy, yes?

J E Gunter 🇨🇦1

Ugh. How completely repellent. And Hegseth will probably swing this turd a promotion.

l'Esprit de l'Escalier1

I expect it was 'just locker room talk'. 🤬

Wonko the Sane

@kernowmad.bsky.social

As long as you're in the American military serving in the UK you can kill and sexually abuse people in the UK and avoid UK justice. Don't see Farage and Tommy ten names crowds out protesting these... #SpecialRelationship #HannesMarschalek #JacobWulfson #AnneSacoolas

545d ago

Joe Scaramanga

@joescaramanga.co.uk

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... Immigrant exposes himself to women and children but no riots and protests outside RAF Lakenheath? It's almost like the "protect are women and children" mob pick specific attributes.

1245d ago

Jacob Gifford Head

@giffordhead.co.uk

The Guardian is starting to run with stories about American servicemen Court Martial'ed under US Service law rather than UK domestic courts. As previously: it is worth noting that this applies both ways. Indeed, I think until recently there was a British Court Martial Centre in Germany.

745d ago

Andrew Whiteley

@andrewwhiteley.bsky.social

That 'special relationship' is beginning to look more like an abusive relationship isn't it? www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

545d ago

Henry Dyer

@direthoughts.com

Another important investigation from my colleagues @harryfoxdavies.bsky.social @robevansgdn.bsky.social and Emine Simnaz www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

945d ago

Danny Fearns

@dannyfearns.bsky.social

Cambridgeshire Police say they carefully considered their decision before handing over this & other cases to the US military. Indecent exposure to a 16 yr old girl with the airman off duty and on British soil, so under our jurisdiction. Shameful negligence. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

345d ago

JazHowe1968

@jazhowe1968.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... Because of course..and where is the faux outrage from reform about protecting our women etc

445d ago

Looking at the stars

@lookingatthestars.bsky.social

If the US military taking over cases committed by their off-duty staff against UK citizens means that the perpetrators get away with a slap on the wrist, then we should not cede that control. Either the US respects UK citizens, laws & values, or they can eff off www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

445d ago

Chris #ChangeEverything #VoteGreen

@chrisl86.bsky.social

This has got the PEDO #POTUS #Trump all over it.... www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

245d ago

Mike Bailey

@linusd.bsky.social

Time to red card US military claiming jurisdiction over sexual offenses committed by US service personnel in the UK. Their justice system cannot be trusted to deliver justice to British victims. www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

145d ago

Kinlika

@kinlika.bsky.social

Another American pervert: 1. Avoided UK legal system 2. Convicted under a plea deal 3. Deported 4. US Appeal acquitted the pervert because he was tried under the wrong law. 5 No mention of how much money he paid trump for the favourable verdict www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

145d ago

Continent Sentinel

@continentsentinel.bsky.social

Prince Harry loses High Court case against Mail publisher – follow live https://www.europesays.com/3114406/ ‘Memories have faded’, says judge, as some claims dated back 20 yearspublished at 14:48 BST 14:48 BST The…

45d ago

1 source

theguardian.comUS airman accused of exposing himself to 16-year-old girl avoided British trial

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US airman tried by US court martial over Cambridgeshire indecent‑exposure case

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