Actor Redmayne's Stalker Gets Suspended Prison Sentence

Stalker Stieger

The stalker, who fell in love with Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, abandoning her life in Germany to spy on the star, received a suspended prison sentence today.

Mother-of-two Gaby Stieger, 49, watched as he undressed at home and hung around a local park, hoping to spot him as well as following him to movie shoots, premiere’s and his local tube station.

The freelance translator and writer, of Hyde Crescent, Colindale pleaded guilty yesterday to stalking the 35 year-old actor between October 7, 2013 and August 23, this year.

Camberwell Green Magistrates Court heard Stieger convinced herself she had been married to the actor in a previous life.

The final straw was when she approached him in Mint Street Park, Borough, Southwark when he was with his 15 month-old daughter and tried to grab his arm.

Eton-educated Redmayne has been aware of Stieger since she approached him at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre, Covent Garden in 2012 and gifted him a book written in German.

He won an Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA for portraying physicist Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

London-born Redmayne, who married Hannah Bagshawe in 2014, has also starred in The Danish Girl, Less Miserables and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The court heard Hannah’s victim impact statement in which she said: “She would frequently be sitting on the wall in the park, watching us coming and going, we felt deeply unsettled.”

Stieger received four months imprisonment, suspended for two years and must obey a restraining order prohibiting her contacting Redmayne and his immediate family and coming within 200 metres of them.

Magistrate Novello Noades announced: “This is a very serious offence, which took place over a period of five years.

“There was significant planning involved, you moved from Germany to London to be near the victim.

Star: Redmayne

“You obtained work in the film industry and near the victim’s home in order to be in proximity to him.

“He told you he was distressed, but you ignored him.”

A court probation officer, Patrick Acres, interviewed the defendant. “Stieger is a sensitive person and she believes in spiritualism.

“She started believing then she had a connection to Eddie Redmayne. She believed in a previous life they were married.

“All she wanted to do was to try and connect with Eddie Redmayne and pass information to him.

“She believed he was going to reject her forcefully. She believed she had a message to give him.” 

It was at the West End premiere of that last film Stieger stalked him again and the actor spotted her behind the crowds.

Prosecutor Miss Sara Ashkboos told the court yesterday their first meeting was at the theatre. “She was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs and gave him a book.”

She was a nuisance on film-sets as she tried to contact the actor again. “She asked for a photo and approached his driver and offered him cake so he would get the actor to sign a birthday card for her daughter.”

Stieger, from Bremen, has two daughters, aged 17 and 19 years-old.

Suspended Sentence: Stieger

She next showed up at an Eton carol service Redmayne was attending with Hannah. “The complainant and his wife felt very uncomfortable and left immediately.”

In a photo taken at the event Stieger is caught staring at Redmayne.

She and her dog became regulars at Mint Street Park, which overlooks the couple’s flat. “The park is opposite the complainant’s home address, the entrance can be seen from the park.”

In May, 2014 she managed to give Redmayne a note, which included her name and number. “She expressed her love and said she was in love with the complainant, but he did not reply.”

The actor also walked off home when Stieger approached him outside his local tube station, asking for a hug and on another occasion approached when he was with a group of friends.

After taking advice form his agent and a solicitor the actor approached Stieger in 2015 with a letter outlining his feelings and asked her to stop following him and this worked for a while.

However, he spotted her at the Leicester Square premiere on November 15, last year.

She was again seen by a local woman, who runs an arts and crafts-style cafe near the star’s home and revealed her deep feelings for the actor.

In his victim impact statement Redmayne says he is happy to share time with fans, but stated: “I regret meeting Gaby Stieger at the Donmar Warehouse.”

“She was spying on my flat, seeing me in a state of undress. 

“The safety of my family means everything to me,” added the star, who said Stieger’s face would “contort with rage” at the mention of his wife.

Actor Eddie Redmayne's Stalker Hell

Stalker Stieger

A stalker, who fell in love with Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, spied on the star as he undressed at home and hung around a local park, hoping to spot him.

German mum-of-two Gaby Stieger, 49, left her family to pursue the star, following him to movie shoots, premiere’s and his local tube station.

The freelance translator and writer, of Hyde Crescent, Colindale pleaded guilty today to stalking the 35 year-old actor between October 7, 2013 and August 23, this year.

The final straw was when she approached him in Mint Street Park, Borough, Southwark when he was with his 15 month-old daughter and tried to grab his arm.

Eton-educated Redmayne has been aware of Stieger since she approached him at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre, Covent Garden in 2012 and gifted him a book written in German.

He won an Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA for portraying physicist Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

London-born Redmayne, who married Hannah Bagshawe in 2014, has also starred in The Danish Girl, Les Miserables and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

It was at the West End premiere of that last film Stieger stalked him again and the actor spotted her behind the crowds.

Prosecutor Miss Sara Ashkboos told Camberwell Green Magistrates Court their first meeting was at the theatre. “She was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs and gave him a book.”

She was a nuisance on film-sets as she tried to contact the actor again. “She asked for a photo and approached his driver and offered him cake so he would get the actor to sign a birthday card for her daughter.”

Stieger, from Bremen, has two daughters, aged 17 and 19 years-old.

She next showed up at an Eton carol service Redmayne was attending with Hannah. “The complainant and his wife felt very uncomfortable and left immediately.”

Star: Redmayne

In a photo taken at the event Stieger is caught staring at Redmayne.

She and her dog became regulars at Mint Street Park, which overlooks the couple’s flat. “The park is opposite the complainant’s home address, the entrance can be seen from the park.”

In May, 2014 she managed to give Redmayne a note, which included her name and number. “She expressed her love and said she was in love with the complainant, but he did not reply.”

The actor also walked off home when Stieger approached him outside his local tube station, asking for a hug and on another occasion approached when he was with a group of friends.

After taking advice form his agent and a solicitor the actor approached Stieger in 2015 with a letter outlining his feelings and asked her to stop following him and this worked for a while.

However, he spotted her at the Leicester Square premiere on November 15, last year.

She was again seen by a local woman, who runs an arts and crafts-style cafe near the star’s home and revealed her deep feelings for the actor.

In his victim impact statement Redmayne says he is happy to share time with fans, but stated: “I regret meeting Gaby Stieger at the Donmar Warehouse.”

“She was spying on my flat, seeing me in a state of undress. 

“The safety of my family means everything to me,” added the star, who said Stieger’s face would “contort with rage” at the mention of his wife.

Stieger will be sentenced tomorrow.

Sledgehammer Used In Washing Machine Row

A sledgehammer thug, who battered his neighbour unconscious after accusing him of damaging his washing machine, has been locked-up for eight years.

Paul Hugh Johnson, 54, of Clarence Road, Canning Town, Newham struck the victim – another resident in their shared accommodation – three times across his head and shoulders.

He was found guilty by a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court of grievous bodily harm.

The jury heard that at approximately 10.30pm on Sunday, January 22 the 39-year-old victim was approached by Johnson, who accused him of damaging his washing machine.

Johnson went into his room and used a sledgehammer to hit the man.

As the victim tried to wrestle with Johnson, he grabbed the hammer and fell down the stairs with the weapon.

The victim fell unconscious as he saw Johnson chase after him with a plank of wood.

As the victim lay bleeding at the base of the stairs Johnson returned to his room and played cards with his partner.

Only when the victim regained consciousness was he able to call police.

London Ambulance Service attended and took the victim to an east London hospital where he received six stitches to his forehead.

Johnson was arrested that evening and throughout the interview denied the allegation.

He was charged the following day and remanded in custody at Thames Magistrates Court.

Detective Constable Raf Patel said: "This is a horrible and sustained attack on a fellow resident in the house.

“The victim is still recovering from his ordeal and is grateful to see justice served."

Academic Filmed Up Commuters' Skirts And Down Breasts On Tube

Dr. Strangelove: Richard George Leaves Court

A PhD-qualified researcher prowled London’s Underground taking pictures up female commuters’ skirts and down their tops with his mobile until he was confronted by two outraged women.

Dr. Richard Anthony George, 49, was a regular on four different lines and police found multiple creepy images he had taken when his phone was forensically examined.

The majority of pictures taken were of between women’s legs seated opposite him on the tube, but sometimes he would stand over them and take snaps of their busts.

George, of Westbury Lane, Buckhurst Hill, Essex will return to Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on September 20 for sentencing.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of outraging public decency, namely taking a picture up a woman’s skirt at Leytonstone Underground Station on August 25, last year and taking multiple such pictures between August 4 and August 24.

Prosecutor Miss Olivia Bull told the court: “These offences took place in August, last year. On August twenty-five a woman was travelling on a westbound Central Line Underground train.

“Mr. George was taking taking photos up her skirt, using his mobile phone.”

A second woman saw him and they both challenged George at Leytonstone, where he got off the train.

When police traced his movements via CCTV they identified George via his Oyster card when he tapped in and out, because it was registered to his address.

He was questioned by British Transport Police. “He said he was on the phone and did not take any photos and got off the train because he felt he should not be there with two women and was embarrassed.”

However, police examined his phone and George’s lies were exposed. “It was found to have a number of images of upskirting.”

George continued to try and deceive police, claiming the images were taken of women he dated, who gave their permission.

Upskirt Pics: Dodgy Dr.

“He said he took the photos with their consent and was seeing several girlfriends at the time and took them as a prank, a fetish.”

However, when officers questioned one of George’s supposed girlfriends she discredited his fabricated account.

“She said it was not her and she had met Mr. George, but it was not a date.”

She had met him on August 26, but the upstart image was dated August 12.

Miss Bull said police identified pictures taken on the Central, Metropolitan, District and Circle Lines.

“The photos are taken when females are sitting opposite and their legs are open and there are pictures from above, down low-cut tops.

“He did specifically target women. He’s aimed for up their skirts between their legs.”

Miss Bull successfully argued George must surrender any digital device, capable of taking pictures, to police on request and must have a valid fare on all trains as conditions of bail.

“My job as a prosecutor is to protect members of the public from serious sexual harm,” she told the court.

“The police have made these applications because they have concerns.”

George’s lawyer Miss Emma Stuart-Smith told the court: “The last photo was on October the fifth and most were deleted soon afterwards.

“He stopped that behaviour on his own accord.

“He is a professional man. He took his own course and realised what he was doing was wrong and now he takes a book whenever he travels.

“He is receiving therapy. He is extremely humiliated and remorseful for the position he finds himself in and his behaviour.

“He is extremely sorry and humiliated to be here. The court should not be concerned that he is going to commit any more offences.”

George will return for pre-sentence and psychiatric reports.

Jail For Nitrous Oxide Dealer

A supplier hoping to cash-in on the nitrous oxide craze is starting a two year and four-month prison sentence after police seized thousands of canisters of the gas.

Sonny Chapman, 27, of Warren Street, Holborn fought the case, but was convicted by a Wood Green Crown Court jury after a five-day trial.

He was found guilty of two counts of possession of a psychoactive substance, with intent to supply.

On September 6, last year officers seized 14,000 canisters of nitrous oxide from an address in Islington and Chapman's car when he was stopped driving along Gray's Inn Road.

Kids Nanny Admits Downloading Child Porn

A children’s nanny has admitted downloading child porn images.

Elliana Ede-Borrett, 22, of Sumner Road, Croydon appeared for the first time this week at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court.

She pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children between September 23, 2015 and May 3, last year.

These relate to 12 Category A images - the most serious - 18 Category B images and 17 Category C images.

The first-time offender has lived in a hostel for vulnerable adults since her arrest in May, last year.

None of the images relate to the children she was looking after.

Ede-Borrett was bailed to appear for sentencing at Inner London Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

The Probation Service have been asked to prepare a pre-sentence report.

Crooked Bookkeeper Helped Destroy Selfridges Beauty Salon

Gittens: Nicked £116K

The boss of a bankrupt luxury Selfridges beauty salon broke down in tears as she revealed how her crooked bookkeeper lied to her face while stealing £116,000 from the company.

Susan Baddeley, 47, was forced to place Groom London Ltd. - which charged customers up to £175 an hour - into liquidation earlier this year.

She was unaware Thelma Gittens, 54, of Montgomery House, Harrow Road, Paddington was forging invoices and accounts during the four-year swindle.

Unusually, Ms Baddeley delivered her victim impact statement in person at Blackfriars Crown Court, which heard she fought to keep her business afloat throughout the fraud.

“My trust was shattered by Thelma Gittens’s awful betrayal,” she told the court, describing the demise of the company she ran for fourteen years as “incredibly painful” and “horrific.”

She hired Gittens as a self-employed bookkeeper in 2008. “I trusted her just like everyone else in my team.”

"Trust Shattered": Susan Baddeley

The company relied on a bank overdraft to survive and Ms Baddeley was forced to borrow £10,000 from her parents to keep Groom afloat.

Gittens knew about the family loan, but still took money from the company’s account the following day.

It was revealed during liquidation proceedings Gittens had transferred £60,715 into her account, plus another £55,757 to a relative’s account.

“These were regular on a monthly basis,” said prosecutor Mr. Obi Mgbokwere.”

Gittens, who claims she took the money to pay her mother’s medical bills in the Philippines, desperately tried to cover her tracks.

“She deleted files on two separate occasions and a total of twenty-five thousand payroll files were deleted,” added Mr. Mgbokwere.

“Once she realised the net was really closing in she said she was sorry and sent a letter to Ms Baddeley, but this was just a cut-and-paste letter she found on google.”

Ms Baddeley told the court Gittens had full access to the company bank account and even tried to buy it for a knock-down price from the official receiver to cover her tracks.

“I could not understand why the business got into such a bad financial state. I was shocked and numbed by the discovery Thelma Gittens was double invoicing her pay and paying someone else.

“She had been falsifying invoices and accounts and took advantage even though she knew the company was struggling financially.

“It was calculated and self-motivated and showed a complete disregard for me and the staff. 

“She even tried to buy the company for a nominal fee to cover-up what she had done in a hard-hearted and cynical way.”

Ms Baddeley described the cut-and-paste ‘apology’ letter in which Gittens expressed her Christian values as “abhorrent.”

Gittens pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position between January 1, 2013 and February 28, this year and was bailed until October 19 for sentencing.

Judge Michael Simon told her not to assume she would avoid custody because he was requesting a pre-sentence report.

“This offence carries a high likelihood of a prison sentence,” he told her, ordering her to surrender her passport to police as a condition of bail.

Keira Knightley's Stalker Finally Admits Flouting Court Order With Chilling Tweets About The Star

Headcase: Revill

Film star Keira Knightley’s stalker has pleaded guilty to breaching a court order by writing threatening tweets about the star and her family.

Mark Edmund Revill, 50, flouted a restraining order in a series of chilling tweets that suggested the actress, husband James Righton, 33 and two year-old daughter Edie would be targeted at their £3.9m Islington home.

He tweeted: “My campaign of disobedience continues in Canonbury tonight,” and: “Keira Knightley and James Righton are not going to get much help from the police.”

The couple informed the police and on April 1 Revill was arrested at 4.15pm and police found a collection of 324 child pornography images he had downloaded form the internet.

Revill, of Glebe Road, Hackney had also tweeted an indecent picture of a child to the actress, which horrified the mum-of-one. 

“Ms Knightley sets out in her statement it was something that gave her particular anxiety since they have a young child,” prosecutor Miss Jennifer Knight told Blackfriars Crown Court.

Appearing in custody shaven-headed Revill, wearing a light grey roll-neck top and dark blue hooded jacket, pleaded guilty to breaching the restraining order between January 1 and April 1 by composing a series of tweets to Keira.

He shouted from the dock: “They were directed towards James Righton,” but the plea was accepted.

Tweeter: Revill

The order, made at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on December 1, last year prohibits Revill contacting the 32 year-old star and going within 100 metres of the home she shares with ex-Klaxons musician James and their daughter.

He also pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs of children on or before April 1 and distributing an indecent photograph of a child via twitter on March 9.

Revill further admitted an additional, lesser charge, brought under the Crime and Disorder Act of sending menacing messages via a public online forum.

He claims he only made 88 indecent images of children, but the dispute will no effect sentence.

“These charges arise from the fact Mr. Revill was convicted of stalking, having attended Keira Knightley’s house over a period of eight weeks and posted postcards and other items through her front door,” explained Miss Knight.

“The crown will be applying for another restraining order in more stringent terms than before.

“We will ask for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to prevent any further publishing of indecent images.”

Revill was remanded in custody until September 22 for sentencing and Judge Rajeev Shetty told him: “The psychiatric material requires some going into.

“You pleaded guilty to these matters and you will get some credit for pleading guilty. A second psychiatric report has been requested and it is not complete.

“There is no indication from me as to what the sentence will be. It will be either a hospital order or it could be imprisonment.”

Revill’s lawyer Miss Lisa Wilson revealed psychiatrists have not recommended her client be locked-up.

“They are recommending a hospital order, not requiring it to be a restrictive one.”

NY Banker Punched Children's Tour Guide In St. James' Park

No Moore Court: Leaving Hammersmith Magistrates

A wealthy New York banker, suspected of exposing himself while filming schoolgirls near Buckingham Palace, punched a female have-a-go, who chased him, in the face, shouting: “Get off me,” a court heard.

Robert Howard Moore, 57, who lives in a £3m two-bed apartment at in East 83rd Street, Manhattan was visiting his London girlfriend when he went alone to St. James’ Park.

When in the UK he lives in a nearby flat in Buckingham Gate, Victoria, a 16-storey landmark luxury development, where two-beds sell for £800,000.

Prosecutor Sharon Michael told Hammersmith Magistrates Court it was 1.30pm and a group of thirty Italian schoolchildren, aged between twelve to fourteen years-old, were in the park for lunch.

“He was sat alone and the witnesses saw he was unusually close to four of the schoolgirls, cross-legged with his mobile phone camera very close to his groin area.”

He was observed by a couple, Timothy and Nicole Dunkerley, the children’s tour guides, and the male of the pair walked behind Moore to get a better view of what he was up to.

The witness says Moore was exposing himself, but did not appear to give evidence at the trial so that charge was dropped.

“Indeed it is a fact his phone was seized by the police and downloads were captured of videos, including footage of girls sitting in the park,” added Mrs Michaels.

“It is not suggested it is in any sexual way, but we have a man sitting in a park very close to four girls, basically filming them.

“Tim Dunkerley was concerned and attempted to see what the man was doing and he confronted Mr. Moore, who then started running towards The Mall.

No Moore Pics: Camera Shy Banker

“Nicole Dunkerley started chasing him and grabbed him by the collar, attempting to detain him and Mr. Moore responded by swinging his closed fist towards her, connecting with her mouth.

“No injury was caused.”

In her statement Mrs Dunkerley said: “He swung his arm around violently with a closed fist, hitting the top of my mouth, shouting: ‘Get off me.’”

Officers were alerted by the couple. “They were shouting: ‘Police! police!’ and pointing at the defendant.”

Moore, who maintains there was no footage of the park schoolgirls on his phone, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mrs Dunkerley and using threatening behaviour in The Mall on July 12.

He was fined a total of £1,216 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

He was also charged with exposing himself in St. James’ Park, but the prosecution dropped the case after their witnesses failed to travel from Italy.

When quizzed by police Moore denied exposing himself in the park on purpose, explaining: “I did not deliberately expose myself in St. James’s Park.

“I was wearing loose-fitting shorts and underwear and was secure.”

Police also asked Moore if he was a “predator” or “paedophile” or was “excited by young girls.”

Moore’s QC Mr. Mark Cotter told the court: “He recklessly swung out at the lady and struck her a blow and she does not  dispute that she took hold of him.”

The court heard Moore was wearing shorts, sunglasses and a baseball hat and looked like a typical visitor. “He was out for a walk and sat down in St. James’ Park,” added the QC.

“He was on his telephone and this caused concern with the adults with the group of teenagers from Italy having their lunch.

“The male said words to the effect of: ‘Why don’t you f*** off’ and Mr. Moore accepts he raised his voice and said: ‘I will f*** off.’

“He started to jog away and the female took hold of his collar.

“There was an allegation of some kind of exposure, which he vehemently denies and if there was it must have been accidental.

“There were no videos or photos of these children on that phone.”

Moore, who spent two days in police custody while officers investigated the case, said in a statement: “I accept assault on a reckless basis.”

NOT GUILTY: Ex-Studio Head Cleared Of Sexual Assault

A former studio head at Universal Music was cleared yesterday of sexually assaulting a brand designer after walking her home following an evening’s drinking at his workplace local.

Dave Pollard, 56, was running The Engine Room - a recording studio he also designed - located at the entertainment giant’s Holland Park HQ, near the popular pub.

Married Pollard, of Merrymickle, Burney Road, Westhumble, Dorking, Surrey always insisted the act was consensual and an Isleworth Crown Court jury unanimously agreed.

The University of London graduate was found not guilty of one count of assault by penetration on January 14, last year at the 43 year-old’s studio flat.

The trial heard the woman had approximately six glasses of white wine at the Crown & Sceptre, Holland Road and took home another bottle from the pub, sharing a glass with Pollard at the flat.

She said she agreed to an innocent sleepover, assuming Pollard would remain on her couch, insisting there was no sexual attraction.

“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 told the court.

However, 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. 

When questioned by police Pollard insisted the blonde-haired woman was the instigator, said prosecutor Mr. David Jenkins.

“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.”

The complainant disputed this and said she was suddenly woken at 6.20am by Pollard committing the sex act.

“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.”

She denied 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.

Universal Music have stated Pollard ceased working at The Engine Room last year.

Supermarket Perv Caught Filming Up Female Shoppers' Skirt

A Morrisons supermarket butcher caught a pervert filming a female shopper’s thighs and knickers up the unsuspecting woman’s dress as she bent down for items in the store.

Romanian grandfather Marcel Cucuiat, 62, twice filmed three-second clips up the shopper’s flowery black dress, but continues to insist: “I don’t know why I did it.”

The driver, of Hay Drive, Mitcham pleaded guilty to an act of outraging public decency at the supermarket in nearby St. Mark’s Road on July 21.

Prosecutor Mr. George Crivelli told Wimbledon Magistrates Court: “The witness, David McFarland, a butcher at the supermarket sees the defendant following the victim.

“He is seen using his mobile phone to film up her skirt when she is bending down to pick-up items on the display unit and is seen doing this twice.

“She was completely unaware this filming was taking place and the butcher informed a security guard and they both approached the defendant and took his phone off him and escorted him to a rear office.

“They asked him to unlock the phone, which he did and they saw two videos on the phone, showing footage under the female’s skirt.”

Police were called and arrested Cucuiat, who simply replied: “I don’t know why I did it.”

Mr. Crivelli added: “The footage is about three seconds long each time and shows the dress the victim is wearing, black with flowers and you can seen her thighs and creme-coloured underwear.”

Cucuiat, who arrived in the UK in October, 2015 with his wife and daughter, was questioned at Sutton Police Station.

“He broke down in tears and said: ‘I don’t know why I did it.’ He said he had never done anything like this in his life.”

Cucuiat told the officers: “I only went to Morrisons to buy coffee. I saw this woman in a dress bending over and took out my phone, I don’t know why.

“I wanted to take a photo and did it twice. It was on the spur of the moment. I feel so embarrassed. I did try to apologise at the time, but they did not let me.”

Cucuiat told the court he had no social life in the UK, save for his wife and daughter, and left behind a large extended family in Romania.

He was fined £150, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge.

NOT GUILTY: Theatre Man Cleared Of Molesting Young Actress During "Artistic" Rehearsal Process

A playwright employed at the Royal Court Theatre has been cleared of groping a young actress’s bum and breasts during one-on-one rehearsals, insisting the contact was all part of the creative process.

Simon David, 57, was alone with the 20 year-old in a room at the Sloane Square theatre working on a dramatic interpretation of his poems ‘E is for Ecstasy’ and ‘Kiss Not Over.’

David, of Tavistock Road, Notting Hill, who has worked in the theatre’s bookshop for sixteen years, always denied the charge of sexual assault on December 8, last year.

The 147 year-old venue is known as ‘The Writers Theatre’ and is renowned for non-commercial productions that encourage new artists.

It took an Isleworth Crown Court jury just fifteen minutes to unanimously acquit him after a three-day trial.

Afterwards David, who has never been in trouble, declined to speak about his ordeal, commenting: “I’ve already spoken enough about this case.”

The actress had told the court it was her second rehearsal with David and accused him of “grabbing my buttocks” and touching her breasts when they were alone.

He allegedly said afterwards: “It was fun trying to do that, knowing you’re not interested,” and: “If you had said stop I would have stopped up to a point.”

However, David told the court the contact was consensual: “The intention was artistic, creative and dance-driven.

“As a performer I’m a little over-the-top in my movements. We both went one hundred per cent into it, we were both passionate and very strong.

“It’s not just reading the poem. They have to do the movements and physicality.”

The actress claimed she made it clear she was uncomfortable with the contact, but was too frightened to flee the room, believing David would try to “kill” her.

That claim is an example of her “over dramatic” account of the events says David, who has worked with thousands of performers during his long theatre career.

He explained his ‘E is for Ecstasy’ poem includes embracing, but the actress says David deliberately pinned her hands behind her back.

“That’s what upset me,” he told the jury. “She says I was holding and grabbing her, but that is not the case.

“The hands behind the back was romantic in line with the poem along with a hand resting on the bottom, touching the throat and hand coming off her breast.”

He said the interpretation of ‘Kiss Not Over’ required physical contact. “It is passion-driven and she completely consented.

“She was going along with it in the context of the rehearsal and we were both in the moment.”

David denied he became “carried away” due to his passion for his work. “I have a very strong moral grounding,” he said.

“She was responding with full enthusiasm and dancing and embracing me in the same way I was embracing her.”

David said the door of the rehearsal room was open at all times with people constantly passing by.

When arrested he did not ask for a lawyer and gave a full explanation. “I did not think I had broken the law and still don’t. It was a shock when the accusations came.”