DJ Neil Fox 'incredulous' at sex assault claims, court told

DJ Neil Fox told police he was "incredulous" at allegations he sexually and indecently assaulted women and girls over a quarter-of-a-century, a court heard.

The former Pop Idol judge denies all ten charges against him, including allegedly simulating sex on a former colleague, approaching another woman from behind and grabbing her breasts, and "snog-raping" a 15-year-old girl at a Capital FM roadshow.

Fox - known to listeners of Capital and Magic FM as Foxy - said he had "no idea" why the allegations were made against him.

In police interviews following his arrest in September 2014, read during his trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Fox said: "I just wish they (complainants) hadn't because it's ruining my frigging life at the moment.

"I just want to get back to work and to my family. Perhaps for some reason they (complainants) don't like me."

He added: "As a married man, I've got two young kids at the time ... I'm extremely happy and in love with my wife. Things are really good in my life.

"In the entertainment business, in radio, there is lots of fun, lots of hi-jinks, lots of horseplay, lots of banter. But I know where the line is, and I have not crossed the line."

The court heard from alleged victims who described Fox as "sleazy".

One of them, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said Fox assaulted her by simulating thrusting on her while presenting the Breakfast Show on Magic radio.

She said she was reluctant to make a complaint because Fox was the "money maker" at the station and his was the "number one breakfast show in London" at the time.

The woman eventually reported him over the incident and also accused him of making a racist comment in her presence. She also complained of sexual discrimination, the court heard.

She said she was offered a new job with a pay cut, which she declined. She was then offered redundancy, which she accepted.

The woman, giving evidence from behind a screen, said she was sacked because she made complaints about Fox.

Fox later described being "incredulous" when details of allegations - including that he forced his tongue into the mouth of a 15-year-old girl at a Capital roadshow at Chessington World of Adventures in 1996 - were put to him by detectives last year.

He told police he would sign autographs and pose for pictures with fans, and that the roadshow environment was always family-friendly with plenty of security guards around, the court heard.

He said: "Did I kiss the fans? I didn't put my tongue in their mouths, which is the allegation.

"There's having a photo taken and giving them a peck on the cheek - that's a different ball game. I find it (the allegation) incredulous, to be honest, particularly when you see the setting of it.

"Did I kiss them? I could have easily pecked them on the cheek if they asked for it. But not on the lips. On the cheek is fine.

"Maybe it was them (fans) kissing us. We all used to see it - they used to get quite crazy, to be honest."

Of the allegation at Chessington, he said: "It's insane. I'm sorry to sound a little bit angry but I am a little bit angry.

"The idea of this particular allegation I find ridiculous and sad. Who knows why people say these things?"

The court heard that Fox was held in high esteem by some former colleagues, including Capital Xtra DJ Jez Welham, who said he considered Fox to be "a god" due to the success in his career.

Fox, of Fulham in south west London, denies eight counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault, between 1988 and 2014. The case was adjourned to tomorrow.