Golfer Thorbjorn Olesen ‘sexually assaulted woman on flight’, court hears

Olesen's trial at Aldersgate House Nightingale Court began on Monday

Golfer Thorbjorn Olesen "grabbed and rubbed the breast" of a woman and "urinated" in the aisle during a British Airways flight in 2019, a court has heard. The Ryder Cup winner is also accused of swearing at members of the cabin crew and being "drunk and disruptive", as per the BBC. The 31-year-old has denied sexually assaulting a woman, being drunk on an aircraft and assault by beating of a second woman. The Dane's trial - held at Aldersgate House Nightingale Court in London - began on Monday.  Olesen boarded a flight from Nashville to Heathrow on 29 July 2019 after competing at the World Golf Championships-FedEx St Jude Invitational.  The jury heard that Olesen had no recollection of his behaviour onboard the aircraft after taking sleeping pills and drinking alcohol.

In a witness statement that was read to the court, the woman that the golfer is alleged to have sexually assaulted said he had been "unsteady" on his feet.

"He grabbed my hand and kissed it. He would not let go. He nuzzled his head into the nape of my neck. I thought he clearly did not know what he was doing," she said.

"I was very wary of his behaviour as he had been aggressive towards crew members. He had his right hand around my back. He then grabbed my breast and moved his hand over my right breast. I felt shocked. It had overstepped the mark."

Speaking about Olsen's behaviour, one member of the cabin crew said she had "never come across such bad behaviour on board a flight" in all her years of service.

In a statement, she said she had served him two drinks not long into the flight.

She said: "I was aware there was another passenger in the cabin drinking pink champagne and I saw Mr Olesen drinking from their glass.

"My attention was drawn to Mr Olesen and his travelling companion. It appeared they were trying to have some form of party."

Following this, she said that she attempted to help Olesen back to his seat after he went to the toilet, but he walked past his seat and into business class.

"He pushed me with his right hand on my right shoulder, saying: 'It's all about you isn't it? Just go away.' He had assaulted me," she added.

The cabin crew member then asked Olesen's fellow golfer Ian Poulter for assistance, with her colleagues also intervening. 

"While carrying out my service, I could hear Mr Olsen shouting," she said.

"About four hours into the flight I was made aware that a passenger had pressed the call bell to inform the attendant that Mr Olesen had got up and urinated over the male, his seat and the aisle."

Graham Gee - cabin service director - claimed that Olesen swore at him "on several occasions" and was "staggering" around.

It is thought that the captain on the flight informed police that he had spoken to his colleagues about potentially diverting the flight if the situation "escalated".

He added that, after being told Olesen had allegedly urinated in the aisle, he went to the cabin and "saw a trail of liquid going from first class" - leading him to make arrangements for 'special cleaning' of the plane once it arrived in London. 

The court also heard that a cabin crew member had "noticed a small group of people gathered around seat 2E and they had brightly coloured pills".

"I heard someone say 'oh I'll have one of those' but I do not know who it was," she stated. 

Olesen's trail at Aldersgate House Nightingale Court is ongoing and will continue in the coming days.

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