The ex-captain of the London Rowing Club has appeared in court accused of lifting a woman’s skirt and slapping her bottom before tipping a pint of beer over her head and allegedly calling her an: “Australian slut.”
Privately-educated City lawyer Alastair Main, 35, of Cobham Road, Kingston-upon-Thames denied the allegations when he appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.
The married former competitive rower, who attended £30,000 a year Oratory School, Reading will return for a trial on November 31.
He pleaded not guilty to one count of sexually assaulting the 27 year-old woman at the London Rowing Club, Embankment, Putney on December 12, last year.
He also denied the racially aggravated assault of the woman on the same occasion.
Prosecutor Miss Ruth Alabaster told the court: “The defendant pulled up her skirt and hit her on the bum.
“There is an allegation of pouring a drink over her head and pushing and shoving and earlier in the evening he called her an: ‘Australian slut.’
“CCTV is to be relied upon in this matter. I’m sure this case will turn on that.”
Main does not deny pouring the drink over her, but insists it does not constitute an assault.
Married Main joined the London Rowing Club (LRC) during the 2005/05 season after rowing competitively for Nottingham University, Notts & Union and Britannia Boat Club.
He was elected captain for the 2013/14 season.
Six-foot plus Main was a national champion in 2003 and represented England at that year’s Home International Regatta.
He retired from competitive rowing in 2006, having won the Thames Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta.
His wife Rebecca, with whom he shares a £900,000 detached home with will give character evidence at the trial.
Main, who is privately funding his defence, only spoke to confirm his name, date or birth and address and enter his not guilty pleas.
He was not arrested, but summonsed for the offences and was bailed unconditionally to return for trial.
Main is a graduate of the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Law School and is currently employed by a global asset management firm, having previously worked for Coutts private bank.
No comments:
Post a Comment