Dave Lee Travis 'Put Hand In Teen's Knickers' In BBC Studio, Court Hears

DLT 'Put Hand In Teen's Knickers' At BBC, Court Hears
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British DJ Dave Lee Travis who is court charged with sex offences
ASSOCIATED PRESS

An alleged victim of veteran DJ Dave Lee Travis has told a court he pinned her up against a wall while presenting his Radio 1 show and put his hand inside her knickers when she was aged 17.

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told London's Southwark Crown Court she was too embarrassed to tell anyone at the time in the mid-1970s but tried to complain to her former employer, the BBC, after allegations about Jimmy Savile were publicised.

She told jurors: "They said we are not taking calls of this nature so I felt like the BBC had slammed the door in my face. I was surprised."

Giving evidence from behind a screen, the woman told the court that Travis, now 68, invited her into his empty studio while a song was playing.

She said he turned the lights off before holding her close to him in a slow dance and became aroused before assaulting her.

Travis, who denies 13 counts of indecent assault and one of sexual assault, gave a loud sigh from the dock as the woman said he "caught my eye" as she stood outside the door and asked if she wanted to choose the next track on his drivetime show.

The alleged victim, who had a clerical role in the BBC's Broadcasting House, said she had been "star-struck" by Travis when she saw him in the studios previously and he twice gave her a lift in his car, which he described as "my big yellow banana".

She told jurors that after turning the lights out, so that the technical operator in the adjoining studio could not see, he played a "smoochy song" on the national radio station and put his arms out for her to dance with him.

The woman, who recalled he smelled of cigars and remembered the feel of his woolly jumper against her skin, said she felt "confused" as Travis held her close as they danced.

"I was struck dumb a bit, I just didn't expect it," she said.

"I wasn't sure what to do."

She said she became aware that Travis had an erection but she did not realise at first what it was.

"He'd been pressing himself against me and I was horrified," she said.

"I didn't actually know what it was. It seems stupid but I was still a virgin.

"Then within seconds I just worked it out and I was horrified and I pulled away."

The woman said that because the studio's red light came on, she felt "trapped" as it meant they were live on air.

She told jurors that Travis then pushed her up against the wall and "put his hand up my skirt and fingers right inside my knickers".

But the alleged victim said she realised she could reach the handle of the door from where she was and made her escape.

She said she saw a technical operator for the show in the adjoining room and told him: "You won't believe what he's just done."

The woman said the man replied: "I thought you were a bit brave going in there."

She said that because of his reaction and because she thought people might not believe her, she "didn't tell a soul" about what had happened.

"These DJs were big, big stars," she told jurors.

"They were like pop stars. There would be crowds of people hanging around outside the building to see them.

"They were like demi-gods."