Latest news with #Groucho
Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Tory MP accused of sexually assaulting two women appears in court
Patrick Spencer, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, who has had the Conservative whip suspended, will stand trial in July next year after being accused of assaulting two women in the Groucho club in Soho A suspended Tory MP accused of sexually assaulting two women at a private club in London will face trial next year. Patrick Spencer, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, allegedly cupped the breasts of two women over their clothes at the Groucho club in Soho. It is claimed to have happened in August 2023, before he became an MP. A complaint was made to the club and a report made to police, and Spencer, 37, was interviewed by officers earlier this year. Spencer, who denies two counts of sexual assault, appeared at Southwark Crown Court this morning. Prosecutor Polly Dyer told a previous hearing that the first woman "felt Mr Spencer put his arms under her arms" before he "cupped her breasts over the clothing". The woman had interacted with him earlier in the evening while he "seemed to be intoxicated", the court heard. Of the second woman, the prosecutor said "he moved behind her and also cupped her breasts with his hands over clothing". Ms Dyer added that neither woman consented to the alleged touching. Lawyers acting for the MP have previously said he "categorically denies the charges" against him, adding: "He has co-operated fully with the police investigation from the moment he became aware of it and he will defend the allegations robustly in court." Spencer's trial date was set for July 13 next year. Judge Tony Baumgartner said his home address would continue to be withheld from the court while he considers the application. The politician, who lives in Suffolk, was suspended from the Conservative Party and had the whip withdrawn after the charges were brought. Spencer was first elected to Parliament last year with a majority of 4,290. He previously worked in finance for private equity firm IPGL, a company chaired by his father, former Conservative Party treasurer Lord Michael Spencer. He later took a job at the Centre for Social Justice think thank and then became a senior adviser at the Department for Education. He made his maiden speech in the Commons in July last year during a debate on the MPs' code of conduct relating to second jobs, during which he said the "most important thing to the people across my constituency" was "restoring a sense of moral probity and public spiritedness to our political system".
Evening Standard
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Liam and Noel Gallagher kids: Get to know Gene, Lennon, Anaïs, Molly and their many mums
The slight odd-one-out of the young Gallagher clan is eldest girl Molly Moorish-Gallagher, who lives a calm life in the north of England and only met her father Liam when she was 20 years old. She's been better acquainted with the second half of her surname since she and Liam met, with both parents attending her 21st birthday at the Groucho club, and Molly spending more time with her half-siblings and cousins since then.
Metro
16-06-2025
- Metro
Nursery worker punched and kicked children while high on cannabis
Former nursery worker Roksana Lecka has been convicted of abusing children as young as ten months who were left in her care. The 22-year-old was captured on CCTV pinching children, dropping babies and vaping less than a metre away from another young baby. Parents found red marks, bruises and scratches on their children, with pictures of some injuries shown in court. Lecka was found guilty of 21 counts of child cruelty today following a six-week trial at Kingston Crown Court. An investigation by the Metropolitan Police began in June 2024 when a staff member at one of the nurseries where Lecka worked flagged concerns about her behaviour. Officers discovered she had abused children as young as ten months at two nurseries in Twickenham and Hounslow between October 2023 and the start of their investigation. Met Detective Sergeant Geoff Boye said: 'Footage showed Lecka carrying out multiple assaults on the children in her care which included repeatedly pinching and grabbing children, dropping babies into their cots and on one occasion, she delivered several kicks to a young boy to the face and stepped on his shoulder.' The Montessori nursery worker told the court she would 'smoke cannabis quite regularly with my boyfriend' until very late at night. She said: 'I was really addicted to vapes, I would smoke two little crystal disposables a day. I was vaping in nursery. Because if I did not smoke, I would get agitated and fed up. 'I couldn't keep asking to go to the toilet. Any opportunity I would take. I would be really moody and fed up.' Of one alleged assault, in which she is said to have 'smacked' a young girl while vaping, she said: 'I had two to three tokes, that would be my normal amount. I did not smack her. I put my arm around her really quickly. 'I do not accept smacking her in the face. I think she's distressed and tearful because she's just woken up from a nap.' The jury found Lecka not guilty on three of the 24 counts of child cruelty she was charged with. She will appear at Kingston Crown Court for sentencing on September 26. More Trending Detective Inspector Sian Hutchings of the Met said: 'These families left their children in Lecka's care, trusting her to take protect their children as well as the other staff at the nurseries clearly did. 'The footage of her offences against defenceless children was disturbing. 'I would like to praise the strength of the victim's families who have had to sit in court and watch footage of the abuse which Lecka inflicted on their children.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Ex-Tory MP pleads not guilty to alleged sexual assaults at London's Groucho club MORE: Rachel Zegler's West End debut sparks controversy over shock move MORE: Mum-of-two is first British Air India crash victim released to family
ITV News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Suffolk MP Patrick Spencer appears in court to deny sexual assault charges at London's Groucho Club
An MP has appeared in court to deny two counts of sexual assault allegedly carried out at central London's Groucho club. Patrick Spencer, the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, cupped the breasts of two women over their clothes at the famous private members' club on an evening in August 2023, said prosecutors. The 37-year-old, from Suffolk, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, where he confirmed his name and date of birth before pleading not guilty to the offences. The politician was suspended from the Conservative Party and had the whip withdrawn after the charges were brought. Prosecutor Polly Dyer told the court that the first complainant 'felt Mr Spencer put his arms under her arms' before he 'cupped her breasts over the clothing'. Of the second complainant, the prosecutor alleged 'he moved behind her and also cupped her breasts with his hands over clothing'. Ms Dyer added that neither woman consented to the alleged touching. He is due to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 14 July.
Scottish Sun
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Tory MP Patrick Spencer pleads not guilty charged with sexually assaulting two women at London's famous Groucho club
MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party MP IN DOCK Tory MP Patrick Spencer pleads not guilty charged with sexually assaulting two women at London's famous Groucho club Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TORY MP has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting two women at London's famous Groucho club. Patrick Spencer allegedly carried out the attacks at the private members' club in Soho in August 2023. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 MP Patrick Spencer has arrived at court charged with sexual assault Credit: PA 3 He was charged last month Credit: PA The 37-year-old's lawyers said previously he "categorically denies" the charges and "will defend the allegations robustly in court". Spencer, who is the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today. He confirmed his name and date of birth before pleading not guilty to the offences. Spencer, who was not an MP at the time of the alleged attacks, was bailed to next appear at Southwark Crown Court on July 14. A Conservative Party spokesman previously confirmed Spencer has been suspended by the Tories and had the whip withdrawn. He was charged after attending a voluntary interview at a London police station on March 13. Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS special crime and counter terrorism division, said: "Following a review of the evidence provided by the Metropolitan Police Service, we have authorised two counts of sexual assault against Patrick Spencer MP. "The charges follow two alleged incidents involving two separate women at the Groucho Club in central London in August 2023. "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial. "It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings." Spencer was elected last year with a majority of 4,290. Before becoming an MP, Spencer worked in finance for private equity firm IPGL, which is chaired by his dad. He also worked for the Centre for Social Justice thinktank before becoming a senior adviser at the Department for Education. A Conservative Party spokesman said: "The Conservative Party believes in integrity and high standards. We have taken immediate action. "Patrick Spencer MP has been suspended from the Conservative Party, and the whip withdrawn, with immediate effect. "The Conservative Party cannot comment further on an ongoing legal case."
