An ex-recording studio boss at Universal Music sexually assaulted a drunken woman he walked home from a pub, local to entertainment giant’s west London HQ, a court heard today.
Dave Pollard, 56, claims the early-morning sex act was consensual with the 43 year-old brand designer and art director after a drunken sleepover at her bijou Holland Park apartment.
Isleworth Crown Court heard the woman had approximately six glasses of white wine and took home another bottle from the pub, sharing a glass with Pollard at her home.
They agreed he could sleepover rather than return to his wife and daughters at his £1.0m six-bedroom home Merrymickle, Burney Road, Westhumble, Dorking, Surrey.
Pollard was head of The Engine Room, a fully operational studio and editing suite he designed and was a regular at the local Crown & Sceptre pub in Holland Road.
Universal Music boasts acts including Lady Gaga, U2, Katy Perry, Elton John and The Rolling Stones.
University of London graduate Pollard has pleaded not guilty to one count of assault by penetration on January 14, last year.
“He is always surrounded by a bevy of artists and talents,” the woman told the jury. “I never gave him any sign whatsoever, no flirting or anything like that.
“I see him as a safer, older man. He’s hideous to look at, there’s no sexual attraction. He’s massive, like a beast, like Shrek.”
She was wearing a red satin dress, black tights and black stilettos and was still fully-clothed when woken by Pollard at 6.20am, the court heard.
“I was asleep, had a weird sensation and thought: ‘What the hell?’ He said something to the effect of: ‘You tasted f***ing amazing.’
“I was disgusted, I was absolutely horrified. Coming out with a remark like that was revolting.
“To wake up to that experience is horrific. He is someone I’ve never flirted with or found physically attractive and he’s taken that opportunity while I was asleep to assault me.”
Pollard says the woman allowed him to massage her feet in the flat, claiming she also sat on his lap with her arms around him.
She denies allowing him to unzip her dress, kissing him in her bed and directing the sex act. “That’s an absolute lie, an out and out lie,” she told the jury.
She also denied kissing and hugging Pollard as he left, with the defendant thanking her for a pleasant evening.
Three days later she reported Pollard to the police and he was questioned on February 18.
“He mentioned everything that happened was consensual and that she agreed and made the running. and took her knickers off and pulled his head to her pelvis and made appreciative noises,” said prosecutor Mr. David Jenkins.
The woman told the court Pollard left around fifteen minutes later and she went to work as normal.
However, she says she did not feel confident leaving her home during the following days. “I spent most of Saturday in the shower.”
Trial continues…………..
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