Commuter who walked past actress at Waterloo station cleared of 'bizarre' sex assault claim

[LurkingHusband]

www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/commuter-who-walked-past-actress-at-waterloo-station-cleared-of-bizarre-sex-assault-claim/ar-BBpcZ5y

A commuter has been cleared of sexually assaulting a well-known actress after a jury rejected claims the crime could have taken place in a brief half-second contact in a busy railway station.

Mark Pearson, a 51-year-old artist and picture framer, was accused of brushing against the actress, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in a mass of train passengers at London’s Waterloo station.

CCTV footage showed Mr Pearson, who was a complete stranger to the alleged victim, did not break his stride as he walked past the woman, who was heading to a rehearsal.

(contd)

Not really much to say . I'm pleased the CPS will "respect the juries decision". The fact they had to state that implies there have been or will be times when they don't accept the juries decision.

[Shirkingfromhome]

I think they should name her too. Poor guy. What a preposterous case to continue with, and with potentially such life-changing consequences too.

Will the actress be charged for wasting police time? This incident clearly did not happen and it sounds like she has taken exception to being bumped into.

[laflaca]

Thank goodness for the CCTV footage proving his innocence, or this man's life could have been completely ruined. What a waste of time and money bringing this to trial.

[bruffin]

here is the article on CCTV camera scary stuff

[wasonthelist]

Thank goodness for the CCTV footage proving his innocence

I am not offering an opinion one way or the other, but considering the facts - I suspect the man in this case couldn't have been found if not for cctv. He was found by matching cctv and his oyster card being used at a ticket barrier.

[oldzebra]

Her name is available on Internet. Funny enough as soon as I heard this, this particular actress came to mind as she has always struck me as somewhat delusional. Don't PM me to ask, as I won't pass on name and I don't want this post deleted - but it's info out there.

Typically, she has high profile establishment friend who no doubt will provide the wing she will hide under. Most shockingly she regularly comments regarding sexual harassment/rapes, however has a friend in very high place...so seems confident she is immune to being blacklisted following this.

Makes me very worried for both boys and girls growing up, when literally walking past someone and not saying sorry because they hurt your shoulder results in being tried for sexual assault.

This woman's claims are criminal, particularly in light of all the genuine European assaults. Appalling.

[foragogogo]

I had never heard of her and didnt recognise her and I doubt he nor anyone at Waterloo did either. Poor man, wonder why she picked on him? or could it be a mistaken identity and it was some kind of targeted attack from a stalker or something? Surely they'd see that on the CCTV though? Sounds like there is a whole lot more to this story.

[Shirkingfromhome]

she has high profile establishment friend

That explains a lot.

[oldzebra]

Well really it's because he didn't show her due deference, rather than just bumping in to her. Her statement was 'he clocked me and smiled and gestured for me to pass' etc. all without breaking stride or leaving time for the assault to even happen.
,
'oh another man under my spell' she thought in usual delusional way . Then it turned out he hadn't clocked her and just barged past - her ego was bruised... Again.

[Fugghetaboutit]

Why would she make it up though?

[firesidechat]

Does it matter why? She did and that's all that needs to be said.

[foragogogo]

If this is just another commuter rage type incident then she has clearly taken it way too far - that kind of shit happens to me in London on a daily basis. Not being a moderately famous (even that?) actress I just suck it up. Most men barge past women on public transport in London and bang into them and take all the space and are rude and nasty etc and he probably was no exception - which is a massive feminist issue of course, but to say he penetrated her for revenge if that is what it was, blimey!

[pandaskitchen]

I too was amazed that this even made it to court- the poor man must have been in a living hell, I can't understand why the woman would make the allegation up other than she really thought something had happened or has other issues and this was some sort of cry for help.

I worry that cases like this make it even harder for victims to come forward, Rape Crisis estimate only 15% of Sexual Assaults are actually reported.

[RhodaBull]

Is there no such thing as defamation nowadays? She has ruined that bloke's life - even though proven innocent the story will still come up on Google searches about him.

I have received some (accidental) hefty barges from man bags, and indeed have been on the receiving end of some nasty gropes on public transport, but what she describes is on a different level and not an easy assault to carry out in the middle of Waterloo Station in a tide of moving commuters.

[foragogogo]

the sad thing is all the anti-feminist loonies are now out in force on twitter saying "see, I told you so, this is wot yo get with feminism"

[oldzebra]

Arf: that's funny you saying that, as that very situation of 'don't you know who I am' has been reported on her in the past. As I say delusional. No, most people don't know who she is. Theatre goers would be more familiar with her (over 50 years of age maybe). However can't imagine anyone under 50 having a clue who she is.

[RhodaBull]

I've just found out who the actress is after a bit of Googling and, er, who ?

[oldzebra]

Fora: that is why this shouldn't go unchallenged surely? It's outrageous that someone can undermine genuine victims because she has such a fragile but very large

[oldzebra]

Ego.