‘Grope’ at the Royal Court

A bookshop manager at a London theatre groped a woman’s breast and bottom as they danced together, a court heard.

Simon David, 56, allegedly sexually assaulted the woman at the Royal Court Theatre in Sloane Square, Chelsea on December 6 last year.

David appeared at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court wearing a bright blue suit and sunglasses – before he was told to take them off.

Prosecutor Tom Gill said: ‘Mr David is the shop manager at the theatre.

‘The woman has stated she did not want any relationship between either party.

‘They danced and the defendant touched the complainant on her breast area, her rear area and her side, this was touching over clothing.’

The woman reported the sexual assault to Holloway Police Station, the court heard.

Known for its contribution to modern theatre, the Royal Court Theatre is a grade II listed building in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

It received a grant of £16.2 million from the National Lottery and the Arts Council for redevelopment in 1995.

The theatre has hosted premieres of ‘angry young men’ classic Look Back in Anger, The Entertainer starring Laurence Olivier and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

David, of (37A) Tavistock Road, Notting Hill, denied one count of sexual assault on a female and elected jury trial.

He was bailed ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing to next appear at Isleworth Crown Court on February 22.
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