Prince’s accusers free to talk in Maxwell sex trafficking case
PRINCE Andrew could be dragged into the trial of his convicted paedophile pal Ghislaine Maxwell after both his accusers were told they could provide victim impact statements.
Lawyers for the Duke’s sex assault accuser Virginia Giuffre have said she can address the court during Maxwell’s sentencing despite not participating in the disgraced socialite’s trial.
The Sunday Express can also reveal the invitation has been extended to Johanna Sjoberg.
She claims Andrew committed a “sexual act” on her inside Jeffrey Epstein’s New York home.
The Duke and his legal team have vehemently denied both Ms Giuffre’s and Ms Sjoberg’s allegations against him.
Last week Maxwell, 60, was convicted of five charges at her sex trafficking trial in New York, and she now faces a prison sentence of up to 65 years.
She will be sentenced early next year after Judge Alison Nathan has heard impact statements and other reports.
If both Ms Giuffre, 38, and Ms Sjoberg, 41, address the court, they would be free to discuss how Maxwell’s crimes had affected them. It would also allow them to name those who took part in their alleged abuse.
They have both claimed in previous court cases how Andrew was involved in them both.
A source said: “Despite not being called at Maxwell’s trial, the judge has ruled anyone affected by her offending should be provided with the platform to speak ahead of sentencing.
“It will be a very emotional time for those who were not called to give evidence but who can now effectively have their day in court.
“They will be free to say whatever they feel and name who they claim was involved with impunity.
“Both Virginia and Johanna have sworn on oath they were brought to Epstein’s sick world by Maxwell.
“They claim she then introduced them to the Prince who then went on to touch them sexually. There is nothing Andrew nor his legal team can do to stop them talking.”
Hairstylist Ms Sjoberg testified the Duke, 61, fondled her breast.
In papers submitted to a New York court as part of a defamation case brought by Ms Giuffre against Maxwell, they detail when the Prince visited Epstein.
The billionaire financier, who admitted to child sex offences, in New York over Easter 2001, had flown Ms Sjoberg and Ms Giuffre from Florida, where they lived, to Manhattan to help entertain the Prince with Maxwell.
Johanna previously claimed: “Prince Andrew was there and Ghislaine and a couple of other girls my age.
“She (Ghislaine) came down with a present for him – a latex puppet of him from Spitting Image. We had a picture taken. Virginia sat on a chair and had the puppet on her lap.
“Andrew sat on another chair. I sat on his lap, and he put his hand on my breast.
“Ghislaine put the puppet’s hand on Virginia’s breast, then Andrew put his hand on mine.”
The Duke has strenuously denied the allegations made against him.
‘There’s nothing
Andrew can do’