A RAF Squadron Leader grabbed a junior airman’s privates during ‘horseplay that went too far’ on a trip to France marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Stephen Parlor, 59, who otherwise had a 40-year unblemished record, admitted ‘disgracing’ the force with his drunken antics and was hit with a fine.
He had been selected to appear at a series of events in Reims – the city where the armistice ending the Second World War was signed – in May last year, based around the Musée de la Reddition (Museum of the Surrender).
It should have been a solemn three-day visit dedicated to commemorating the sacrifice of our war heroes, but instead Parlor brought the force into disrepute with his behaviour.
During the trip, the Squadron Leader, also a respected chairman of the RAF Judo Association, humiliated a younger serviceman by grabbing his genitals.
The incident happened during drunken high jinks among British servicemen at a bar in the heart of the city.
Parlor was hauled before a court martial at the Military Court at Catterick, where prosecutor Will Peters said a British deputation went to L.Bee’s, a dance bar on Place Drouet d’Erlon in the heart of Reims, on the evening of May 2.
The group began playing drunken games in the busy bar, watched by onlookers, and the victim in the case was hoisted up in the air and challenged to touch the ceiling.
Stephen Parlor, 59, grabbed a junior serviceman’s genitals during ‘horseplay that went too far’ in France
Parlor admitted disgracing the RAF and was ordered to pay a fine, bringing a shameful end to his otherwise exemplary career
While he was being pushed skyward, another member of the party – not Parlor – grabbed his buttock.
As he landed on the ground, Parlor then ‘grabbed or slapped’ his genitals.
Mr Peters said: ‘At that point the complainant said he froze, felt upset and wished to leave.’
Parlor admitted disgraceful conduct of an indecent kind, and was ordered to pay a fine.
Judge Advocate Tom Mitchell told Parlor he had been in France ‘to represent His Majesty The King’, but ended up indulging in ‘raucous behavior and horseplay that went too far’.
In a victim personal statement read to the court, the victim said in the immediate aftermath and for some time afterwards he felt ’embarrassment and awkwardness’.
He added that he had also felt ‘belittled’ by Parlor’s actions and a compensation application was made on his behalf, which was declined by the court.
Parlor had served in the RAF for 40 years since 1985 but was a reservist Squadron Leader at the time of the assault and retired last December.
A court martial board fined him the equivalent of 28 days wages for his actions.
Judge Mitchell said: ‘You were in France as part of a force development team who travelled to Reims for a VE Day event. You were abroad and representing HIs Majesty The King.
‘Whilst in drink and in the context of other more general raucous behaviour, you grabbed or slapped, but certainly touched, the complainant’s genitals over his clothing.
‘Our conclusion is that you did what you did deliberately, you intended to touch the complainant’s genitals and you intended to act indecently.’
He added that, while the act was deliberate, it was not malicious.
Judge Mitchell concluded: ‘This was horseplay that went too far – it went way too far.’
Darren Samat, for Parlor, said: ‘This was a second of madness by this defendant which can be viewed in the context of 40 years of service for the RAF.
‘There was no malice in it whatsoever, albeit it was indecent and with hindsight inappropriate.’
The events marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the last significant one that many veterans would attend, had particular significance in Reims.
The German surrender was signed at Lycée Roosevelt, formerly the Collège Moderne et Technique, at 2:41 am on May 7, 1945, marking the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Reims officials invited ‘residents and visitors to take part in a programme rich in emotions, memories and sharing’.
It added: ‘Through exhibitions, meetings, screenings and symbolic highlights, this 80th anniversary becomes a unique opportunity to bring generations together around the values of peace and freedom.
‘A powerful moment, anchored in collective memory, to celebrate together a universal heritage.’
The incident brings a shameful end to Parlor’s otherwise exemplary career.
He played a role in the RAF’s LGBTQ community and became a well-known figure in the Judo world.
Speaking in June 2021 for Pride Month, Parlor gave an interview to British Judo, saying: ‘I came out very late in “gay-life” at the age of 30. There were several factors behind this. My employment in the RAF was the main reason.
‘In the early years of RAF life, I could have lost my job for being gay. So I had become used to living a lie, but at the same time constantly fearing a reprisal of being found-out!
‘Also, being in the military at that time (late 80s early 90s) lads banter of someone being gay etc. wasn’t particularly acceptable compared to today in the RAF which is completely all accepting with a fantastic range of support organisations.
‘I first came out fully to the RAF Judo Team when I was Team Manager. I was sick of lying to my friends and albeit initially nervous about opening up when I did at a Team Dinner all the players, coaches and fellow judo execs were all tremendously supportive and accepting.
‘I can honestly say that I have never received any bad mouthing or confrontation from anyone both in work or within the Judo Team. Everyone was completely supportive.’
