Leslie cleared of sex assault on bride-to-be
FORMER TV presenter John Leslie last night said he was “relieved” after he was cleared of sexually assaulting a bride-to-be on her hen night.
The former This Morning star, 53, was accused of putting his hand down the woman’s trousers and touching her bottom as they danced in Edinburgh nightclub Atik last June.
Appearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court under his real name John Stott, he denied the charge, which was found not proven by Sheriff Adrian Cottam after a two-day trial.
Speaking outside court Leslie said: “I’m relieved that the court’s verdict cleared my name because I know I did nothing wrong that night a year ago and I’ve said so from the very beginning. CCTV and DNA proves that no assault took place.
Ordeal
“It’s now time to move on from this year of hell.
“I’d like to thank my mum, dad and brother and those close to me for getting me through this ordeal. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Leslie, who also presented Blue Peter and quiz show Wheel Of Fortune, gave evidence in his own defence.
He described dancing with the woman and then said he made his excuses and wished her well when the song finished.
Leslie told the court that half an hour later a nightclub steward told him an allegation had been made against him.
Asked by the prosecution if he thought he was untouchable that night, he replied: “I did not put my hands down her trousers. It’s something I would never do. It’s something I would never have done. I’m upset at the allegation.”
Earlier, club DJ Nicholas Mowat, 50, said he saw Leslie dancing ballroom-style with the bride-to-be.
He said: “John was just pirouetting... John had his hands on the back of the bride and he was a perfect gentleman, dancing around the dancefloor as normal.
“I didn’t see any signs of her being distressed with him or being anxious to get away from him in any way.”
He said he had a good view of the dancefloor from his elevated DJ booth and when the song ended Leslie kissed the woman on the cheek and walked off.
The court also heard from the bride-to-be’s friend who said she felt the way Leslie was touching her friend was “inappropriate” and she looked “scared”.
She said: “They were dancing and I could see he had his hand on her lower back, which I felt was inappropriate. I would have felt uncomfortable if it was me.
“The next time I looked up I couldn’t see his hand any more. I could only see the top of his wrist. It was at the top of her tutu. At this point she looked scared.”
She said she cut in and danced with her friend, who initially said she was fine but then started crying and later reported the incident to the police.
The bride-to-be had earlier told the court Leslie had put his hand down her trousers while they were dancing and she had nothing to gain from making up the allegations.