UK: ‘TV actor sexually assaulted me to prove he was bisexual’ says teenager in court

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A teenage TV actor raped a 14-year-old boy to prove to his girlfriend he was bisexual, a central London court has heard.

On Monday, while giving evidence at Blackfriars Crown Court the alleged victim, now 17, collapsed behind a curtain in distress and the court was cleared so he could receive medical treatment.

The judge said he is now considering allowing the boy to give evidence via videolink as the experience appeared to be too much for him.

The defendant, also now 17, is facing one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault between July and September 2010 while the pair studied at the same stage school.

As well as allegedly forcing himself on the teenager in a stairwell, he is also accused of sexually assaulting him in a changing room and a toilet.

Prosecutor, Timothy Forster, said the attacks started after the defendant’s girlfriend had asked him about his sexuality and he approached the victim saying: “I think I’m bi”.

Mr Forster said: “The victim took that to mean he was telling him he was bisexual. He then asked him to come downstairs with him but he refused.

“The defendant then sent him a picture of his erect penis and asked the victim to send a similar picture in return but he wasn’t interested.

“The defendant continued to text him saying he had to prove to his girlfriend that he was bi saying he wanted to ‘do it’ with him. And he said that his girlfriend could watch.”

The prosecutor continued: “Half way down he told him he had to prove [he was bisexual] because his girlfriend had been with a girl so he had to be with a boy.

“The victim was not interested in returning the defendant’s overtures… there were incidents on a weekly basis, none of which were wanted, but he was scared to stop the defendant doing what he did.”

The TV actor denies one count of oral rape in July 2010 and three counts of sexual assault between July 2010 and September 2010.

All of the allegations relate to one victim.

The hearing continues.