A Bristol Crown Court jury has found Ian Hibbs, one of the original founders of the globally recognized lifestyle brand Superdry, guilty of raping a woman in 2022. The verdict marks a significant fall from grace for the 59-year-old businessman, who helped build the fashion empire into a household name.
Details of the Investigation and Trial
The legal proceedings focused on an incident that occurred two years ago. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence detailing the assault, which the victim reported shortly after it took place. Despite Hibbs’ defense and his former standing in the British business community, the jury found the prosecution’s case compelling enough to return a guilty verdict.
Hibbs co-founded the brand that would eventually become Superdry in the 1980s under the name Cult Clothing. While he was instrumental in the brand’s early expansion alongside James Holder and Julian Dunkerton, his direct involvement with the current operation of the PLC has diminished over the years. However, his historic association with the brand remains a central part of his public identity.
Impact and Sentencing
The conviction has sent shockwaves through the UK retail sector, where Hibbs was once hailed as a pioneer of high-street fashion. The court heard testimony regarding the impact the assault had on the survivor, whose identity remains protected under UK law. Legal experts suggest that given the nature of the crime, a substantial custodial sentence is expected.
Superdry’s Position
While the company has undergone significant restructuring and financial challenges in recent months—including a recent delisting from the London Stock Exchange—this legal matter is unrelated to the corporate entity’s current operations. A spokesperson for the brand emphasized that Hibbs has not held a formal role within the company for a considerable period.
Sentencing for Ian Hibbs is scheduled for a later date, at which point the court will determine the duration of his imprisonment. The case remains a high-profile example of the UK justice system’s commitment to prosecuting historical sexual assault cases regardless of the defendant’s social or economic status.
