Celebrity4 min(s) read
Anonymous celebrity claims he could take his own life if sexual misconduct allegations go public
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A mystery celebrity has asked a London court to stop two major news publications from revealing his identity and reporting sexual misconduct allegations against him.
He is fighting to stay anonymous amidst the claims, as his legal team claimed he could even take his own life if the claims are revealed to the public.
The famous individual is looking to put a stop to any potential reporting on allegations that he used his fame and status to secure sexual relationships over the years, as per the BBC.
A court heard that the celebrity abused his standing to engage or attempt to engage in 'inappropriate sexual activities with a large number of girls and young women'.
He is seeking an injunction, following claims on Tuesday (October 27) that publication of the news would 'highly likely' lead to him taking his own life.
The mystery celebrity's lawyers said this wasn't due to any wrongdoing, but because of the fear of 'trial by media'.
The court case is ongoing
The two-day trial is taking place at London's High Court, with the judge asking the public and media to avoid speculating about the celebrity's identity.
Yesterday, the court heard that the man denies abusing 'his power and position as a celebrity to contact and forge relationships with young women and teenagers to try to have sex with them'.
However, the legal team for ITN and Guardian News and Media (GNM) claimed that the celebrity's 'suicide risk' could be made less severe, and that they shouldn't 'restrain the publication of public interest journalism'.
Gavin Millar KC, for the news publication, revealed that 'numerous allegations' had been gathered during a wide-scale investigation, and that there is a 'strong' public interest in publication.
He claimed that reporters spoke to over 100 people, revealing a 'pattern of behavior', as many women have been left 'traumatised by the claimant's alleged conduct and have suffered mental health crises and mental illness as a result'.
Millar said that if the state protects the anonymous celeb, they would need to intervene in 'lawful journalistic activities', preventing an 'autonomous act by the claimant himself'.
Results of a medical report detailed that inpatient treatment could result in 'significant, but not complete mitigation of the risk' of suicide, with treatment having a 'realistic potential'.
The judge, Mr Justice Nicklin, acknowledged that there is significant public interest in the outcome and that it is a 'difficult and important case'.
"The court must determine it fairly, on the evidence and legal submissions," he stated.
Nicklin will only determine whether the allegations can be published, not whether they are true or accurate.
He warned the public and the media not to speculate about the man's identity, as he has been referred to as 'PPT' in court proceedings.
The judge stated: "The existence of online speculation, however confidently expressed or widely repeated, does not authorise anyone to identify, or purport authoritatively to identify, PPT in connection with these proceedings,
"Nor does repetition transform speculation into established fact."
Celebrity's representative warns of outcome
Sara Mansoori KC said in court that the publication of allegations could have a potentially fatal impact.
"The only reason they would not be fatal is because the claimant would be locked up and prevented from his desire to end his life," she told the court.
She claimed that the man attempted to take his own life after receiving letters from ITN and GNM asking for his response.
After leaving hospital, he reportedly attempted suicide again.
"This is not a case where an individual has spuriously raised 'mental health' concerns in the face of an impending publication that they do not wish to occur," she further claimed, adding that he had been hospitalized for months as a result.
She also claimed that he 'has no intention of returning to public life.'