Bodyguard tells court he saw DJ grope Taylor Swift

DENVER: Taylor Swift’s former bodyguard told how he witnessed the pop star’s skirt being flipped up before she was then groped by a DJ as he gave evidence in a US courtroom on Friday.

Greg Dent told a jury in Denver, Colorado, that Swift was “uncomfortable” during the photo shoot before one of her concerts four years ago in which David Mueller allegedly assaulted her.

“When he went to put his arm behind her, I saw her skirt go up and his hand went under there,” Dent said.

“I knew she was uncomfortable. I saw her push her skirt down and move away,” towards Mueller’s girlfriend, who was standing on Swift’s other side.

Dent’s testimony came on the fifth day of

When he went to put his arm behind her, I saw her skirt go up and his hand went under there. I knew she was uncomfortable. I saw her push her skirt down and move away. — Greg Dent, Taylor Swift’s former bodyguard

hearings into a civil lawsuit filed by Mueller who has accused Swift of slandering him to his radio station which subsequently fired him. Swift is counter-suing Mueller, alleging he assaulted her. Mueller’s lawyer Gabriel McFarland repeatedly pressed Dent why he didn’t step in. But Dent, who worked as Swift’s bodyguard for five years, explained that he followed the singer’s direction who continued with the photo session for fans and invited guests. Swift took the stand herself on Thursday when she testified that Mueller “stayed latched on to my bare ass cheek as I lurched away from him.” Swift’s assistants testified in depositions that as soon as the photo session ended, the singer told everyone in the room about the incident. Though Mueller did not appear to pose Swift any danger, Dent said, “I thought it was a violation of her body.” Dent, who stopped working with Swift after the 2013 tour, said the singer often allowed appropriate contact with fans in such meet-and-greet sessions, adding that he felt “she was far too friendly”. Swift has asked for one dollar in damages if she wins. A wage expert hired by Mueller placed his lost current and future wages at nearly US$3 million. Mueller was fired by radio station KXGO two days after the 2013 incident and has been unable to find a job since. — AFP