Wednesday 9 May 2018

Defence Consultant Denies Slapping Woman's Bottom At Admiralty House Fundraiser

A military consultant appeared in court for the first time today, accused of groping a woman at a Royal Navy charity event held in Admiralty House’s museum.

Mark Forsyth, 57, of Millennium Close, Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath, Bristol denies the allegation.

The boss of MRDFORSYTH Consulting Limited is charged with sexually assaulting the woman on February 15 at the landmark Grade 1 listed building, near Whitehall.

On his professional profile he describes himself as an experienced Defence and Business consultant seeking new challenges.

Westminster Magistrates Court heard the complainant was assisting a fundraising charity event.

“At the end of the evening, after several drinks, Mr. Forsyth approached as she was packing up and made some jokes and slapped her on the buttocks,” said the prosecutor Jennifer Gatland.

“He also tried to give her a hug, to which she pushed him away.

‘In interview he said he couldn’t remember the incident.

‘It was touching over clothing. It was a short incident.”

Forsyth was bailed unconditionally to appear at Southwark Crown Court on June 6.

He has worked on projects here in the UK, plus Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Singapore.

Forsyth previously worked as a specialist for the Australian Defence Forces and the New Zealand Defence Force in their delivery of heavy recovery military vehicles.

He is a former parish councillor for Frampton Cotterell Parish Council and an ex-town councillor at Bradley Stoke.

Forsyth is a graduate of Worcester University, Farnborough College of Technology and the School of Electronic Engineering.

He currently resides in a four-bedroom £550,000 detached home.

Admiralty House is used for government functions and houses ministerial apartments.

It backs onto Horse Guards Parade and was once home to Winston Churchill while serving as First Lord of the Admiralty

John Prescott had a grace-and-favour flat in the building when he was Deputy PM and it has been home to several Prime Ministers during 10 Downing Street renovations.

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