The partner of a high ranking Army officer who allegedly groped his colleague’s wife told a court martial she is standing by ‘my officer and gentleman’.
She described Lt Col Gordon Edwards, who is accused of fondling the woman’s bottom, as ‘the most loyal man I have ever met’.
Giving evidence at the hearing, Beverley Limbrick insisted she was ‘proudly’ standing by her boyfriend of six years.
The court martial has heard Lt Col Edwards, 59, ‘tried his luck’ with his colleague’s wife by groping her right buttock while she was at Bristol Children’s Hospital with her seriously injured son.
The respected Army officer allegedly ran his hand down her back, grabbed her bottom and later told her husband – who he was close to – ‘sorry mate I didn’t mean anything by it’.
Beverley Limbrick insisted she was ‘proudly’ standing by her boyfriend of six years Lieutenant Colonel Gordon Edwards who has been accused of groping a colleague’s wife, Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire heard
The woman, who had been queuing for coffee with Lt Col Edwards when he allegedly ‘tried his luck’, said she was ‘at her most vulnerable’ when he attempted to ‘get away with a quick grope’.
However, Miss Limbrick, wearing a blue jacket and skirt, defended her partner at Bulford Military Court, Wilts.
She said: ‘He is the most caring, honest, loyal and loving man I have ever met.
‘He’s my soulmate, my rock, and has supported me with intense love. I cannot imagine a more dependable or more dedicated man.
‘In every sense, he’s my officer and gentleman and I’m blessed to share my life with him.
‘Few people have the strength or courage to live a truly honest life, centred on and guided by the highest set of morals and standards Lt Col Edwards has.
‘He embodies the very best of human nature and despite the experiences of past and now present he continues to see the very best in people and offers his support.
‘I have absolute, utter and total trust and faith in him.
The court martial has heard Lt Col Edwards, 59, ‘tried his luck’ with his colleague’s wife by groping her right buttock while she was at Bristol Children’s Hospital with her seriously injured son
‘He has devoted his entire life to the Army, believes in it and is proud to serve. His hard work and selfless dedication has rewarded him with deserved respect and an excellent reputation.
‘I stand proudly by his side with love.’
Lt Col Edwards winked at his partner as she left the stand.
The officer, who lives in Army accommodation, also received glowing tributes from other colleagues.
Lt Col Del Rogers, who has known him since 1996, said: ‘He is now a close family friend to me, my wife and my children.
‘His qualities as a soldier and an officer are beyond reproach, his leadership qualities are the backbone of his success and he epitomises everything that’s good about the Army.
‘On three occasions I was deployed on long periods of time… he was there for my wife and children.
‘I trust him with my family, he was never over-familiar with my wife and daughter and I trust him when I am away.
‘He’s a real gentleman and one with a heart of gold.’
Others who gave character statements to Lt Col Edwards include Army officers, female Army workers who have lived in the same accommodation block as him, and his nephew.
The court has heard that following the alleged sexual assault, the working relationship between Lt Col Edwards and his colleague became ‘complicated’ and there were ‘public fallings out’.
The husband admitted he ‘chickened out’ of reporting the hospital incident, despite his wife asking him to.
The woman, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, said her husband ‘100 per cent let her down’ by failing to report it and in the end she had to report it herself.
Lt Col Edwards argues the woman only made the allegation to protect her husband who faced being dismissed from the Army following investigations into his behaviour relating to the fallings out and ‘outbursts’.
Lt Col Edwards, of the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at MoD Lyneham, Wilts, denies one count of sexual assault.
The trial continues.