Paralympian Lord Chris Holmes appeared in court yesterday accused of grabbing the bum of a female masseuse in the spa of a luxury five-star central London hotel.
The 47 year-old Peterborough-born Conservative life peer is charged with sexually assaulting the woman on March 7 at Sofitel Hotel, 6 Waterloo Place, St. James’s.
He indicated a not guilty plea at Westminster Magistrates Court and was bailed unconditionally to appear at Southwark Crown Court on April 19.
Visually-impaired Baron Holmes of Richmond MBE, who lives in a £2.25m home in Priory Road, Kew, did not have to surrender to the secure dock and was seated in front of it.
He only spoke to confirm his name, age and date of birth and confirm his plea.
Prosecutor Ms Melanie Hardwick told District Judge Margot Coleman the complaint arose from Lord Holmes’s £150 ninety-minute deep tissue massage appointment.
She told the court Lord Holmes reached around and grabbed the masseuse's bum with both hands.
The masseuse complained to her duty manager and the police were informed the next day.
Lord Holmes’s lawyer Mr. Alex dos Santos told the court: “There was some contact, but not as described.”
Lord Holmes won nine gold, five silver and one bronze medal as a visually impaired swimmer in four Paralympic Games between 1988 and 2000.
He has also worked as a journalist and solicitor and was Director of Paralympic Integration at London 2012.
The Cambridge University graduate lost his sight as a teenager due to a genetic eye disorder.
He was a Commissioner for the Disability Rights Commission and a Non-executive Director to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
He was also appointed a special advisor on Diversity and Inclusion to the Civil Service, is a Non-executive Director to the Channel 4 Board and is a Chancellor at BPP University.
Lord Holmes has been a member of House of Lords Select Committees on Digital Skills, Social Mobility, Financial Exclusion and Artificial Intelligence.
No comments:
Post a Comment