William Howieson: Army officer demoted and reprimanded over attempted sperm sample trick on nurse
The Army officer who tried to trick a nurse into helping him give sperm samples will keep his job - but he has been handed a punishment from an Australian Defence Force Court Martial.
Canberra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Canberra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- School student detained, interrogated over ‘radical’ terrorism essay
- Bikie didn’t say he was ‘petrified’ of hit job by rivals, cop says
- Hiding $5m of cocaine under bed ‘pretty naive’
An army officer who tried to trick a nurse into masturbating him by producing a fake note from a doctor saying he needed “assistance” to produce sperm samples has been demoted and given a formal slap on the wrist.
Lieutenant William Howieson, 29, faced an Australian Defence Force Court Martial in Canberra which on Wednesday ordered he be demoted from his previous rank of captain.
He was also issued a severe reprimand from the panel of five senior officers, which had earlier found him guilty of prejudicial conduct “likely to discredit the defence force”.
The panel found him not guilty of three counts of indecency relating to allegations he twice exposed his erect penis to the nurse and once masturbated by the side of a road while looking at another woman.
Lieutenant Howieson’s victim was a member of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and the offending took place when the now Townsville-based officer was posted as a liaison officer in the lead-up to the 2018 APEC summit in Port Moresby.
Lieutenant Howieson’s conviction and punishment will be the subject of a mandatory review.
In a statement, an Australian Defence Force spokesman said: “Defence does not tolerate unacceptable behaviour and takes all allegations very seriously.”
“Army expects all soldiers and officers to act appropriately, safely and lawfully, and to display Army’s values and live up to their contract with Australia.
“Individuals who fail to adhere to our expectations will be held accountable.”
Lieutenant Howieson had a previously unblemished record and had worked towards a military career since he was a teenager.
He had previously served in Afghanistan, and is recently married.
The Australian Defence Force spokesman said: “The Army respects and values its relationships with our regional partners and has enduring Defence Cooperation Programs with many countries, which enhance interoperability and regional security.”
Lieutenant Howieson’s demotion has the effect of setting his career back years.
Prosecutors had argued that “all options”, including jail time, were available to the panel.
