A sports expert has told CPH POST that the Danish golfer Thorbjørn Olesen can expect to serve some time in prison if he is convicted of sexually assaulting a fellow passenger on board a BA flight in 2019.
He is also charged with assaulting a hostess and being drunk on a plane.
The expert, Costa Rican sports analyst Angus Hamilton, cites a similar case that took place in 2002 when Irish top jockey Tim Murphy was found guilty of indecent assault on a flight attendant aboard a Virgin Atlantic plane traveling from Tokyo to London.
Like Olesen, he was also tried in London.
More than nine months probably
Murphy was sentenced to nine months in prison (six for assault, three for being intoxicated and disorderly conduct on a flight) and entered on the register of sex offenders for five years.
If convicted, Hamilton claims, it looks like Olesen will earn as much time as Murphy because he is not only accused of assaulting a flight attendant, but also a fellow passenger.
Murphy’s indecent assault was more serious than what Olesen is accused of, when he was found guilty of caressing the air hostess’ genitals, whereas Olesen is accused of grabbing his fellow passenger’s breasts.
Like Olesen, Murphy also urinated in the hallway and could not remember what had happened when he came to his senses.
Olesen remembers having taken sleeping pills before the episode and had a drink. Unfortunately, much more followed.
Two alleged assaults
The fellow passenger, who Olesen should have assaulted, told the court that he was very persistent.
“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 careful with his behavior as he had been aggressive towards crew members. He had his right hand around my back. Then he grabbed my chest and moved his hand over my right chest. I felt shocked. It had exceeded the target. “
That The air hostess has meanwhile accused Olesen of assaulting her after trying to help him back from the toilet.
“He pushed me with his right hand on my right shoulder and said, ‘This is about you, isn’t it? Just walk away.’ He had assaulted me, “she said.
Olesen has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial continues.