Medieval club actor ‘wrapped women in his cloak to abuse them’
A LEADING actor in a medieval re- enactment society is accused of using the large cloak of his costume to ‘encircle’ women as he furtively groped them.
Trevor Pilling, 78, who was described as the driving force behind the Lion Rampant Medieval Display Society, is alleged to have carried out a dozen sexual assaults on eight women over a period of 25 years.
Members of the Buckinghamshire society dress up in medieval- style clothes and armour and take part in re- enactments of ancient battles or perform for crowds in archery shows, jousting tournaments and dances.
Kim Preston, prosecuting, said the
‘Took advantage of the circumstances’
pensioner from Chesham, Buckinghamshire, preyed on vulnerable women during rehearsals, in hotels and even in the members’ own homes, and had been regarded as a ‘pillar of the community’ until some of his alleged victims decided to speak up.
One of the assaults involved a teenage girl in an empty hotel lounge, the jury heard, while another occurred during a rehearsal when Pilling stood behind a woman and groped her breasts.
Miss Preston told the court that Pilling often wrapped women with his large cloak during medieval reenactments so he could cup their breasts, and then carried on as if nothing had happened. She added: ‘It is something he did quite regularly, and it had even been known as “encircling.” ’
The barrister added: ‘ The defendant was a man that was held in quite high regard in his community. He was muchrespected by those he met – and those involved – as being a leading light in that society.
‘He used his position and that charismatic trusted role in different ways on a number of women over the years. He took advantage of the circumstances to take advantage of women – particularly those in a vulnerable part of their life, or physically vulnerable.’
The court was told that Pilling had such a reputation that women warned each other not to be alone with him or allow themselves to be ‘encircled’ by his cloak.
Aylesbury Crown Court also heard that Pilling would carry out ‘crystal healing treatments’ at his house on women in order to sexually assault them.
One of the alleged victims berated Pilling about his ‘squalid’ behaviour, telling him: ‘ If you touch me again, there will be consequences.’
The court heard that when Pilling’s daughter was told about her father’s behaviour she was so sickened that she reported him to the police.
When he was later interviewed by officers, Pilling said in a prepared statement that the accusations were untrue but refused to answer any other questions.
Miss Preston said: ‘ These offences show this defendant as a sexual menace. He has been indecently assaulting both young and older women.
‘Then with these treatments – I don’t want to call them bogus as he might have spiritual talents – with women in their 40s, 50s and approaching their 60s.’
Pilling denies 12 counts of indecent and sexual assaults on eight women between 1982 and 2007.
The trial is expected to last for three weeks.