LESLIE ‘ VICTIM OF FEMALE GROPERS’ TV pals support accused star at sex assault trial
JOHN Leslie was groped by women who threw themselves at him, but would “laugh it off”, a court was told yesterday.
TV stars Anthea Turner, Fern Britton, Yvette Fielding and Diane- Louise Jordan gave evidence in support of Leslie, who is accused of grabbing a charity fundraiser’s breasts at a Christmas party. Yvette, 52, who appeared on Blue Peter with Leslie, claimed the presenter was frequently pestered by female gropers.
Giving evidence via videolink, she said: “He was inundated with lots of ladies. I have seen them throw themselves at him. Women go up to him squeezing his bum in bars and clubs.” She added: “He would laugh it off. Never ever have I seen him behave in a disrespectful way to any woman or man.”
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Fern, 63, who presented This Morning with Leslie, told police he “always received a lot of attention, particularly from the ladies”. She added: “He’s a very popular, tall and handsome man.
“But I never saw him behave inappropriately.”
Blue Peter colleague Anthea, 60, said she regularly attended parties with Leslie as his “plus one”.
She said she never saw him act inappropriately and added: “He was the life and soul of the party. He was a gent.”
Diane- Louise, 60, said Leslie supported her when she joined Blue Peter just months after losing her sister. She said: “I cannot explain how exceptional and loving he was.”
Leslie, 55, denies sexual assault in a bar in London’s West End in 2008.
The trial at Southwark Crown Court continues..