US airman denies raping UK citizen at RAF base

Keiran Lee Bogstad will face trial in September 2024

American airman Keiran Lee Bogstad pleaded not guilty to raping a UK citizen at RAF Croughton (PA)

A US military serviceman has denied multiple counts of rape at an RAF base and will face trial next year.

American airman Keiran Lee Bogstad pleaded not guilty to raping a UK citizen three times between November 2020 and February 2021 at RAF Croughton in Northamptonshire.

At a hearing at Northampton Crown Court, Bogstad, 22, was told he will face trial at the same court on 30 September 2024.

Adjourning proceedings, Judge Adrienne Lucking KC said: “I’m going to release you on bail on the same terms as before.

“You must attend court on every occasion you are required to do so.

“If you fail to attend on any of those occasions there will be a warrant issued for your arrest.

“If you fail to attend on the day of your trial the prosecution will apply to go ahead with the trial in your absence.”

Bogstad, wearing a polo shirt and chinos, spoke only to confirm his identity and enter his pleas and replied, “Yes ma’am”, when the judge asked if he understood what she had said.

He was given bail with conditions not to leave the country or contact the complainant, with a previous court hearing having heard that the defendant had already surrendered his passport.

His role in the United States Air Force (USAF) was not disclosed in court.

Bogstad was represented by James Bloomer, with Peter Ratliff prosecuting.

The trial is expected to last six days.

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

RAF Croughton, which is currently used by the USAF, was put in the spotlight in 2019 after teenage motorcyclist Harry Dunn was killed by American citizen Anne Sacoolas as she drove on the wrong side of the road after leaving the base.