Victim said to have tried on his wig and gown before alleged assault
A criminal barrister is finding out what life is like on the other side of the courtroom this week.
25 Bedford Row barrister Alex di Francesco (pictured) is on trial for an alleged sexual assault in his chambers.
The 36-year-old — who appeared on the 2014 barrister hottie list, a countdown of the country’s best looking junior barristers — supposedly met his 24-year-old victim on a night out.
Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard that after the pair had nattered away about Netflix series Making a Murderer talk turned to di Francesco’s job.
According to The Standard, the victim told the court they discussed whether he had a wig and gown, and she agreed to head down to chambers with di Francesco.
Prosecuting barrister Dilichi Onuzo added:
She then went with him to his chambers at 25 Bedford Row, he took her to his office and showed her his wig and gown. She then tried on his wig and gown.
The pair, who had been at a wine bar, reportedly went into a conference room where di Francesco “tried to kiss her but she pulled away”.
She subsequently lay on the floor because “she felt quite sleepy”, and this is where the alleged sex attack took place.
The young victim has accused Birmingham University graduate Di Francesco of pulling down her tights and pants, before grabbing her bum “really hard” and asking her “are we not going to have sex?”
The prosecutor continued:
She felt he was aggressive and confrontational because she wouldn’t have a one-night stand.
Deputy District Judge Nicholas Wattam heard that the woman then started crying and threw up while former Lamb Building Chambers tenant di Francesco laughed at her,
The barrister has denied one count of sexual assault. The trial continues.
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UPDATE — 4:58pm
Alex Di Francesco has been acquitted of sexual assault.
