An aspiring actress claimed she was: “Harvey Weinsteined” by BAFTA-nominated film director Stephen Fingleton, who forced himself on her during a work-related lunch at her flat, a court heard yesterday.
The Londonderry-born 35 year-old filmmaker, who also writes and produces, pushed the Norwegian woman’s head toward his crotch, saying: “You need to go down there,” the jury were told.
Fingleton, of Temple Road, Drumclay, Enniskillen has pleaded not guilty at west London’s Isleworth Crown Court to sexually assaulting the actress, 27, at the Tourney Road flat in Fulham on October 27, 2017.
The pair had met at the opening gala night of the British Film Institute’s film festival when Fingleton approached her at the after-party, complimenting her on her dress, the actress later told police.
Fingleton told her he wanted to cast a Norwegian actress in his next project and she was alone in her shared three-bed flat when he arrived at 1.30pm to discuss this.
“Out of the blue the defendant introduced topics of a sexual nature,” said prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward. “He asked if she had done nudity in films and mentioned a play involving masturbation on stage."
Giving evidence from behind a curtain the actress chocked back tears as she told the jury: "He asked me if I had done any nudity before and I said: 'No.' He said I looked like I'd been with a girl before and when I asked why he said: 'Girls like to explore.'
"I thought it might be a natural thing to ask if his film required it, but also thought it was a bit odd.
"When he went to get his notebook he leaned on my shoulder. I thought it was a little bit odd that he touched me, but did not put much thought into it."
Ms Ledward continued: “Quite unexpectantly and surprisingly the defendant touched her shoulder as he passed to get something from his bag.
“The defendant cornered her, placing his hands either side of her on the kitchen counter.”
She brushed past, the court was told, and wanted to play Fingleton a clip of her work on the television, but he wanted to go to a darker room.
“He wanted to use some sort of projector he had, but she told him her room was quite bright.
“He put his arm around her, stoking her shoulder and asked her to put her hair down. He grabbed her head and smelled her hair.”
The actress, who had appeared in small roles in HBO productions, started unloading her washing machine to change the subject, added Ms Ledward.
“He remarked that she left her underwear in the machine,” said the prosecutor, adding Fingleton moved closer as the woman bent over her washing basket.
“The defendant grabbed the top of her head and pushed her towards his crotch, saying: ‘You need to get down there, down there.’
“She told him she was a sex addict as well as an alcoholic,” said Ms, adding this was an appeal to Fingleton’s morals by the woman to leave her alone.
“He pulled her by the arms across the room and pulled her body towards him and tried to kiss her lips. She declined to kiss him.”
By know she was crying, the jury were told. “He hugged her using his body weight and stroking her hair.
“He said the play he was talking about was about him and he had sexual problems and could not ejaculate unless having oral sex.
“He put his hand under her t-shirt and said she seemed submissive and she felt his erection against her thigh.
“When he pulled away she noticed his shirt was unbuttoned and belt undone.
“She called a friend and said she had been: ‘Harvey Weinsteined’,”
When questioned about the incident Fingleton claimed the actress was “tactile” and pushed herself physically against him as they watched the film at her flat.
She also mentioned a website she used and could sell her underwear on and from which men would pay to come and clean her house.
“He said he hugged her out of concern for her welfare,” added Ms Ledward.
When asked about pushing her head into his groin Fingleton said: “I would never do anything like that.”
Fingleton’s BAFTA nomination was in the category of Outstanding Debut for his movie ‘The Survivalist’, which he wrote, produced and directed.
Trial continues………….
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