It is claimed the former Celebrity Big Brother contestant indecently assaulted one of his victims at BBC Studios in Glasgow’s Pacific Quay
Glasgow Sheriff Court(Image: PA)
Scottish comedian and former Celebrity Big Brother contestant Hardeep Singh Kohli will face a trial for sexual related charges.
The 57-year-old is accused of attacking three women between April 2007 and December 2016. It is claimed Kohli indecently assaulted the first victim at BBC Studios in Glasgow’s Pacific Quay by groping her buttocks, seizing her by the body and hugging her.
The second allegation involving the same woman states that Kohli, of Kelvinside, made a sexual comment towards the woman at a bar and restaurant in Glasgow. The third charge alleges that Kohli indecently assaulted the woman at Raddison Blu Hotel in Glasgow, when it’s claimed he stroke the woman on the back and touched her hair.
Kohli is charged with indecently assaulting a second woman at Cross Keys Hotel, Canonbie, Dumfries and Galloway. He allegedly seized her by the arm, lunged towards her and attempted to kiss her face. A special defence of consent has been lodged for this charge, the Daily Record reports.
Kohli is further accused of conducting himself in a disorderly manner and commit breach of the peace at the same time and place. The charge says Kohli exposed and performed a sex act on himself.
The final charge alleges that Kohli sexually assaulted a third woman at Yes Bar in Glasgow city centre. He is stated to have seized the woman on the body, hugged her, kissed her on the mouth and attempted to put his tongue in her mouth.
Kohli appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday and denied all six charges. Urfan Dar, defending, told the hearing: “The position is the defence is ready for trial. The length of the trial both parties consider four to five days as a suitable estimate.”
Mr Dar stated that advocate Sarah Livingstone will defend Kohli at trial. Prosecutor Sean Docherty told the court that he will cite seven civilian witnesses and one police witness.
Mr Docherty said: “The Crown is prepared for trial and I estimate it to be four days. Disclosure has been completed.”
A five-day trial was set for November by Sheriff John McCormick who continued Kohli’s bail meantime.
Kohli has previously appeared on TV shows including The One Show, Celebrity MasterChef and Newsnight Review, and has hosted programmes on BBC Radio 4.
