Britain’s most successful Paralympic swimmer Lord Chris Holmes has been accused of sexually assaulting a masseuse at a luxury London hotel, a court heard today.
The 47-year-old Conservative peer is accused of groping the woman on the bottom during a 90-minute massage at the hotel in March this year.
Holmes, who is blind, was helped into the court by his solicitor this afternoon at Westminster magistrates court when he indicated he intends to fight the allegation at trial.
He was allowed to sit on a seat in the well of the court rather than entering the dock itself for the brief hearing.
Prosecutor Melanie Hardwick said the alleged assault happened after Holmes “booked a 90-minute deep-tissue massage costing £150” on March 7 this year.
Holmes, who was given the title Baron Holmes of Richmond and elevated to the House of Lords in 2013, went blind overnight at the age of 14.
Despite his disability, he gained a place at Cambridge University and won a record-breaking six gold medals for swimming at the Barcelona Paralympics in 1992.
Holmes won a total of nine golds, five silvers and one bronze during a glittering athletic career, and has gone to be a passionate campaigner for inclusion and disabled access.
He played a key part in the delivery of London’s Paralympic Games in 2012, and entered Parliament the following year as a Conservative peer in recognition of his public service.
Holmes, who is a patron of charities including the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust, Help for Heroes and Guide Dogs, spoke to confirm his name, age, and address at today’s court hearing before indicating his not guilty plea.
Alexander dos Santos, representing Holmes, said he was electing a trial by jury at the crown court.
Holmes, who lives in Richmond, denies one charge of sexual assault.
District Judge Margot Coleman released Holmes on unconditional bail until a formal plea hearing at Southwark crown court on August 19.
