Theatre photographer speaks out over damaging 'lies' as he is cleared of sexual assault

A theatre photographer who was accused of groping two aspiring actresses collapsed in the dock as he was cleared of sexual assault.

Pascal Molliere, 52, faced claims that he attacked the women at his studio in Fulham during photoshoots, but was cleared by a jury at Southwark crown court on Friday.

Visibly emotional after the acquittals, Mr Molliere issued a statement as he left court saying it “will take time for me to try and rebuild my life, if I even can.

“My career, my name, even some of my relationships have been irreparably damaged as a result of lies”, he said.

“It’s time to bring back some common sense.”

The photographer, who has shot the likes of Dame Judi Dench during his career, added: “If a system cannot be relied upon to prove or disprove an allegation with equal measure, then we all need to be extremely careful how we interact with one another, which will make for a very disconnected, fearful and sad society.”

Mr Molliere, from Surbiton, Surrey, insisted in court that the case against him was “nonsense” as he denied two counts of sexual assault.

He was acquitted of a further two allegations of sexual assault, which he also denied, at an earlier trial in November last year.