Twiggy Photographer Accused Of Molesting Eight Women

The sixties photographer who discovered Twiggy carried around his portfolio of work - which included his iconic picture of the model - to help him sexually assault women, a court heard.

Legendary fashion and style photographer Barry Lategan, 80, approached his victims mainly on buses, engaged them in conversation about his pictures of the rich and famous and groped them, the jury were told.

He claimed to miss "skin on skin" contact and touched them both over and under their clothing, rubbing their breasts. legs, thighs, backs, arms and hair.

He has been ruled unfit to enter a plea to eight counts of sexual assault allegedly committed between February 1, 2013 and June 18, this year.

The Isleworth Crown Court jury have heard this week Lategan, 6 Grosvenor Park, Camberwell has "evolving dementia" and they will have to decide if the offences occurred.

Two of his photographic portraits of Twiggy hang in the Victoria & Albert Museum and he has photographed among others HRH Princess Anne, Paul and Linda McCartney, Iman, Germaine Greer, Margaret Thatcher and Salman Rushdie.

Prosecutor Miss Teresa Hay told the jury four of the eight women reported Lategan, whose c.v. includes front pages of fashion magazines Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, after reading press reports of sexual allegations against him.

The first woman was walking to Virgin Active, Fulham Road when she smiled at fellow gym member Lategan. "He grabbed both her arms and gave her a firm kiss on both cheeks."

The second woman, 44, was on a 211 bus in Fulham when Lategan began showing-off his portfolio. "He was touching and stroking her forearm and said: 'It's so lovely to be able to touch someone.

"He asked if he could hug her, but she felt the embrace was too firm and lasted too long and he swiped his hand over her breasts," explained Miss Hay.

Referring to his erect penis Lategan told her: "Look what you've done to me."

The third woman, an artist, was persuaded by Lategan to leave Cafe Nero and go to her flat in Redcliffe Square, West Brompton to take photos for a project.

"He asked her to recline on her sofa and pose and open her legs wider. He sat newt to her and started rubbing her thigh and put his hand on her breasts over her clothing."

The fourth woman was approached on a 211 bus. "He put his hand inside the arm of her coat. He said: 'I do miss skin on skin.'

"He put his hand on her leg under her trousers and also stroked her hair and head."

He gave most of the women his business card, which allowed police to easily trace him, and the fifth woman was also approached on 211 bus and shown his portfolio of work.

"He touched the hem of her dress and moved his hand up her leg to her thigh."

The sixth woman was an a route 68 bus. "He showed her pictures of Twiggy and other photos from his portfolio and ran his hand down her hair.

"He followed her off the bus and put his hand up her back under her clothing and said: 'I'm sorry, my wife died. Can I have a hug?'

"The seventh woman, a former art student he gave an autographed picture of Twiggy to, was on a 211 bus in the evening. 

"He put his hand up the back of her top and stroked her skin," explained Miss Hay. "He asked her if he could kiss her."

The final woman was on a bus travelling towards Camberwell. "He told her about his now legendary portraits of Twiggy and she used her phone to look him up on the internet.

"Mr. Lategan touched her thighs over her jeans and said: 'At the gym they're into tits, but I'm into legs.'

"He slid his hand between her legs, up her thighs and towards her groin."

Hearing continues…………