Harvey Weinstein’s London charges dropped as ‘no realistic chance of conviction’

Disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has had his to-face-charges-of-indecent-assault-against-woman-in-london-16792534/” data-type=”link” data-id=”https://metro.co.uk/2022/06/08/harvey-weinstein-to-face-charges-of-indecent-assault-against-woman-in-london-16792534/”>indecent assault charges dropped in London.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the two indecent assault charges brought against Weinstein, 72, in 2022 have been dropped because ‘there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction’.

Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: ‘The CPS has a duty to keep all cases under continuous review and we have decided that there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.

‘We have explained our decision to all parties.

‘We would always encourage any potential victims of sexual assault to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.’

The allegations referred to a woman, now in her 50s, claiming she was indecently assaulted by Weinstein twice between July 31 and August 31, 1996.

The Metropolitan Police were first authorised to pursue the charges in 2022 by the CPS Special Crime Division. 

Manhattan jurors found Weinstein guilty on rape charges in February 2020 but the conviction was overturned in April. He was originally sentenced to 23 years in New York during the landmark case.

Weinstein was convicted of sexually assaulting Miriam Haley, a former production assistant he worked with on Project Runway, by forcing her to perform oral sex on him at his apartment in 2006.

He was also sentenced to 16 years on top of this sentence in a California conviction in 2023 on rape and sexual assault charges.

The decision to throw out his New York conviction – on charges of criminal sex act and rape in the third degree – came as the state Court of Appeals determined that the judge in the trial had prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings.

At the time Weinstein spokesperson Juda Engelmayer told Deadline: ‘We’re cautiously excited,’ as they looked toward overturning the LA ruling as well. 

After his overturned conviction in April, Weinstein was taken ill with a ‘ton of health issues’ and was treated at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan. In July, a judge tentatively set a date for a retrial to take place in November.

Weinstein denies he sexually assaulted anyone.

According to AP, outside the courthouse Weinstein’s attorney, Diana Fabi Samson, said: ‘He is anxious to go to trial and prove his innocence.’

The former producer – behind classics such as Pulp Fiction and Shakespeare in Love – is currently jailed on Rikers Island.

Allegations against one of the most powerful men in Hollywood first emerged in 2017 when dozens of women came forward with their own stories.

This kickstarted the #MeToo movement which has led to conversation around women’s experiences of sexual assault in the TV and film industry and beyond.

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