Presenter Collins 'used sex list to harm girlfriend'

Saturday 6 October 2012

Television presenter Justin Lee Collins used details of his ex-girlfriend's sexual past as a "rock" with which to harm her, a court has heard.

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Collins, 38, is accused of harassment by public relations worker Anna Larke.

Prosecuting barrister Peter Shaw told the jury at St Albans Crown Court, in Hertfordshire, that she was an alcoholic, bankrupt and suffering from depression.

"She's all of the above but she's not a fantasist," said Mr Shaw in his closing statement. "Does it make somebody with a drink problem ... incapable about telling the truth on other matters? The prosecution say no, that would be manifestly ridiculous."He went on: "What would cause a woman with a drink problem, living in a nice flat in Richmond with the man she was besotted with, going on international holidays several times a year – holidays that she could ordinarily only dream about, to Miami and New York – having money paid into her account by this defendant, what could cause her to walk out on him?"Collins met Ms Larke in 2006 at the Golden Joysticks Awards, which he hosted in London. The following year they embarked on an affair that lasted until 2008.The pair split up but resumed their relationship after the star's marriage to his wife Karen broke down in late 2010. Ms Larke moved in with Collins in January last year.The Crown alleges the comic was a controlling, sexually jealous boyfriend who made Ms Larke write down every sexual encounter she ever had. Collins says the list was Ms Larke's idea to "unburden" herself.However, Mr Shaw told the jury: "It was to haunt Anna Larke, because despite this defendant's assurances about what a good thing it would be to do, he used it as a rock against which any self-esteem she did have would be dashed."Collins, who came to fame with Channel 4's The Friday Night Project, denies harassment.In her closing statement, Collins's barrister Sonia Woodley, QC, told the jury: "Anna Larke describes the defendant as a wife-beater and that is a very serious allegation to make. But, members of the jury, there is something even worse. That is to be convicted as a wife-beater when you are no such thing."The trial continues.

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Presenter Collins 'used sex list to harm girlfriend'

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