Sexist Royal Marine punished after HMS Prince of Wales tirade stating 'women don't belong in the military'
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Marine Ewan Baxter was slammed by a judge after hurling sexist insults at female personnel and swearing at them
A Royal Marine Commando has escaped a service ban after he told a female sailor that 'women don't belong in the military' in a sexist outburst after he was escorted out of a bar.
Marine Ewan Baxter, 24, has been slammed by a military judge and told to 'wise up and grow up' after he directed 'casual misogyny' towards female sailors when he was kicked out of a bar in Crete and escorted back to HMS Prince of Wales.
The Marine, from the elite 42 Commando, told Leading Hand Nicole Gildert "I am not listening to you because you're a female" and claimed 'women don't belong in the military'. Mne Baxter also swore at senior female sailor Chief Petty Officer Rachel Cairney.
Bulford Military Court, Wilts, was told that as well as hurling sexist abuse at the two servicewomen, he verbally abused two male sailors, Leading Hand Alex Turner and Lieutenant Edward Faull.
The outburst occurred on the aircraft carrier while she was in Crete and that Mne Baxter had been to a bar in Chania on the Greek island on October 2, 2025. Mne Baxter admitted four counts of misconduct towards a superior officer and has avoided a ban.
Bulford Military Court heard he showed 'a particular disdain for female personnel' and was given a 90-day Service Supervision and Punishment Order. Group Captain Michaela Blackmore, prosecuting, said Mne Baxter had been in the Majestic bar and had become intoxicated.
Gp Capt Blackmore said he had got into a disturbance at the venue and was escorted back to the ship, after being 'discriminatory to women in the Navy'. She said: "He told [LH Gildert] ‘I am not listening to you because you’re a female’ and stated that ‘women didn’t belong in the military’."
She said CPO Cairney had identified herself to Mne Baxter as the Master of Arms and he began to be 'dismissive and abusive'. Gp Capt Backmore said: "He said to CPO Cairney, 'I couldn't give a f**k if you are the Master of Arms' and 'f**k off'." She said he also swore at LH Turner.
He was told by Lt Faull that he should go to bed but he 'did not comply' and said he was 'just a matelot' and 'rank doesn't mean anything to me'. When he was questioned by the service police, Mne Baxter admitted that he had been disrespectful because he had been 'angry about being brought back to the ship.'
Gp Capt Blackmore said: "He directed abusive, disrespectful and in respect of LH Gildert, discriminatory comments at them." Mne Baxter has been serving in the military for over six years. He became a Royal Marine in 2019 and he has the Global Service Medal.
Mitigating, Michael Green said Mne Baxter was following in his family history of serving in the Royal Marines, with his father having served for 23 years and his brother currently serving.
Mr Green said: "He utterly accepts that everything he said on that night was inappropriate, out of order and disrespectful. He puts forward an explanation of sorts for his behaviour.
“He had been on a nine month deployment, which is longer than usual. On this particular evening he categorically disputes being in any sort of disturbance."
He said these had been 'single instances' of misconduct and he had pleaded guilty on the first opportunity at court. Mr Green said the character references said 'this behaviour was highly at odds with his behaviour he displayed while on deployment'.
Sentencing Mne Baxter, Assistant Judge Advocate General John Atwill said he had a 'prolonged course of disrespectful behaviour'. He said: "You directly challenged the Master of Arms and swore at LH Turner. You challenged and belittled Lt Faull's rank and seniority.
"You refused to comply with repeated directions for you to simply go to bed. You told LH Gildert that you wouldn't listen to her because she was a female and that women shouldn't be in the military."
Judge Atwill said the Royal Marines and Royal Navy have a long history of working together and rely on being a 'family' He said: "This was not a single ill-judged remark.
“This behaviour continued over a long period. We note that you showed a particular disdain for female personnel. Mne Baxter, you should take a look around. Female personnel have served in the Royal Navy for the last 30 years. Your casual misogyny does you no credit at all."
He added: "This was a continuing act to challenge their authority. The integrity and effectiveness of the armed forces relies on respect of senior officers. The authority of superior officers must be upheld, and those who threaten that authority must be dealt with quickly and effectively.
"You increased the risk to HMS Prince of Wales and all those on board. There is a fine line between professionalism, confidence and arrogance.
“Your behaviour was undisciplined, unprofessional, ill-judged, and immature. Wise up and grow up. Whatever your skills in the field, the service will only tolerate you for so long."
Judge Atwill said he had taken into account the character references that described him as a 'highly capable marine', but said this was 'persistent behaviour, ignoring warnings to desist'.
Judge Atwill said his offending was aggravated by his intoxication, the fact that the victims were carrying out their duties, and that it was on the ship.
He sentenced Mne Baxter to 90 days of a Service Supervision and Punishment Order where he had to report to his commanding officer and give up a sixth of his pay.