Clerk accused of groping woman claims he was offering her fashion advice, court hears

Glenson Barrett: the clerk is accused of sexually assaulting a female lawyer three times
Alex Lentati
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A “flamboyant” legal clerk who was caught on camera allegedly groping a woman in a court building claims he was only offering her fashion advice, jurors heard.

Glenson Barrett, 47, is accused of sexually assaulting the young woman three times, including squeezing her bottom during a hug and grabbing her breasts as she walked down a corridor. It is said he also made a series of suggestive remarks, telling her she had a “nice arse” and commenting on her body, Blackfriars crown court heard.

The woman, who cannot be identified, said she initially did not want to report Barrett because he would lose his job, but went to the police after she was left in tears by the third alleged assault last September, jurors heard.

She said she had walked away after the assault, but Barrett called out: “That’s OK, I can see your arse from behind.”

Defence barrister Madeleine Wolfe said Barrett has a “passion for fashion” and was offering the woman style tips rather than groping her.

She suggested it was “possible” that Barrett, a fashion devotee who wore a three-piece suit and cravat to work, had been “adjusting her tie” and complimenting her attire.

Barrett is accused of three sexual assaults against the woman at a London court building, which cannot be named for legal reasons, in July, August and September last year.

The alleged victim told the court she initially believed Barrett was gay, and texted a friend after the first alleged incident to say the clerk may not be homosexual as he had “just fully molested me”.

She texted her friend again to complain about being “molested in the corridor”, and said she decided to report him after a third incident. She said: “I felt just very shocked. I was in court, my guard is down. I remember thinking I don’t know what to do.”

Barrett was fired after CCTV footage of the third incident emerged.

Ms Wolfe described Barrett as a “flamboyant” and “camp” man, who is “quite artistic in nature” and enjoys attending major fashion shows and events.

Barrett, from Tufnell Park, denies three charges of sexual assault. The trial continues.

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