Sir Philip Green charged in US over claims he assaulted Pilates instructor
Sir Philip Green has been charged with four counts of misdemeanour assault in the US after a Pilates instructor alleged the Arcadia mogul repeatedly touched her inappropriately, prosecutors have said.
Katie Surridge told police in Arizona that Sir Philip spanked and grabbed her backside during classes in the Canyon Ranch luxury resort in Tucson in 2016 and 2018.
Pima County Attorney's Office said on Friday that he has been charged with four counts of knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure, insult, or provoke.
Deputy county attorney Lauren Deakin told the Press Association: "Philip Green has been formally charged with four misdemeanour assault counts.
"These are class three misdemeanours.
"Each count has a potential sentence of up to 30 days in the Pima County jail, a fine of not more than 500 US dollars, and up to one year of probation."
Sir Philip, 67, has previously denied the allegations investigated by the Pima County Sheriff's Department
The mother-of-three, who is in her 30s, told Detective Stivers in a police interview obtained by PA that the "creepy old man" had "vigorously" slapped her bottom up to 10 times in January 2016.
She alleged she was worried about frustrating a "high roller" at the resort but decided to speak to management who said they spoke to Sir Philip and reassured her it would not happen again.
But Ms Surridge told police that Sir Philip came back for another class in January 2018.
"This time, instead of slapping my butt, he puts his hands, like, he wraps his hands around my waist and then grabs my butt cheek and just puts his hand there and just holds it there as he's hugging me," she said.
He went on to make uncomfortable comments and pat her exposed stomach as she demonstrated an exercise, she alleged.
"And then the session ended and I immediately went upstairs to (management's) office and I was in tears and I said, 'He was told never to touch me again and here he is touching me again'," she told police.
