Last Updated on: 13th April 2022, 07:03 am
Who is Pascal Molliere? Biography, Wiki
A renowned West End photographer Pascal Molliere who s*xually abused an aspiring actress in his studio more than a decade ago has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Pascal Molliere, 55, attacked the then 22-year-old woman in July 2010 during an hour-long photoshoot at a warehouse in Fulham, west London.
Pascal Molliere’s Age
His current age is 55 years.
Pascal Molliere Photographer
Before filming, he asked the woman if she wanted to take “sexy or fashion shots” and encouraged her to bring a variety of outfits.
The photographer closed the studio door and then encouraged her to strip off more and more clothes and pose for more and more revealing photos before touching and kissing her genitals and kissing her firmly on the mouth.
Molliere, from Hampshire, was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday at Southwark Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of three counts of sexual assault after a nine-day trial.
Who Was The Victim?
Judge Philip Bartle QC said it was a “clear breach of trust” case that had “life-changing” effects on the victim, who cannot be identified because she is a sex crime victim.
“This appears to be a case of Mr. Molliere using his position as a professional photographer to exploit the vulnerability of an unsuspecting young woman who was also a paying customer to satisfy her sexual desires,” he said.
“(The victim) clearly trusted Mr. Mollière and betrayed that trust in appalling ways that even he now describes as heinous.”
The court heard that the woman had moved to the capital to pursue an acting career and borrowed money from her mother to pay for portfolio photos for public relations.
Prosecutor Tyrone Silcott said Molliere is a “well-known and respected photographer of celebrities and actors” who is in “a position of power” that he has ‘abused’.
As the woman read her victim testimony on the witness stand on Tuesday, she said: “When I moved to London, my dream was to go into theatre, film or television and for that I needed professional portraits.”
“After what happened I felt so bad just thinking about looking for roles that I was going to kind of lift my head and be seen as another girl, willing to do anything to get it to the top to accomplish.”
“She knocked me down and I gave up on my dreams.”
After leaving the studio, the woman “broke down in tears” and told her boyfriend what happened.
He called Molliere a “bad person” and contacted him, telling him to delete all photos of her and return the money, or he would contact the police.
The money was returned and the sexual assaults were unreported as of January 17, 2019. The victim said she was inspired to report the photographer to police in 2019 after the #MeToo movement started.
“I have nightmares where my skin tingles and I get physically sick,” she said.
“I felt sick after everything that happened, I was disgusted with myself. For all these years I felt guilty and ashamed that I had done something to make him believe that’s what I wanted to.”
“I remember the feeling of dread of being locked in that room.”
In late 2021, footage of the photoshoot was found on the hard drive of a Toshiba laptop found at Mollière’s address, suggesting he did not destroy it as promised.
What Was The Statement?
Molliere was interviewed on May 8, 2019, and issued a prepared statement denying the allegations.
During the trial, Mollière denied all charges against her, saying the incident “absolutely” did not happen and the woman left her study looking ‘delighted’.
But he has since admitted his guilt in a prejudice report, calling his own actions “despicable” but saying he acted “spontaneously”.
Ester Schutzer-Weissmann, who is defending herself, asked the judge to “treat him with mercy”.
Ms. Schutzer-Weissmann said Mollière is not the same man he was ten years ago when the incident happened.
Molliere was also given a 10-year Sexual Violence Prevention Order barring him from working as a photographer without a police permit.
He is no longer a photographer.
“He no longer puts himself in the positions he used to exploit.”
The lawyer added that Molliere has made major changes in her life and is now a pillar of her community, leading an initiative promoting locally sourced seasonal foods.
His mother had written to the court describing him as an “obedient, caring and loving son”.
The grey-haired photographer, who has photographed screen legends such as Dame Judi Dench, Star Trek star Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen, has renamed himself Pascal Gerrard in recent years.
Molliere, who became involved with sustainable food company StreetCube after his photography business closed, also received a 10-year sexual harm prevention order barring him from working as a photographer without a police permit.
Judge Bartle said: “I am sure that [the plaintiff] trusted him.”
“I’m sure she was telling the truth when she said she wasn’t comfortable being asked to undress, but she agreed because she thought he was a professional… and because Mr. Mollière convinced her that she was safe…that no one would see her.”
“I’m also sure Mr. Mollière had planned what he was going to do, so he told her he wanted to take ‘sexy or fashionable’ photos and told her to bring different outfits.”
He exploited the vulnerability of an unsuspecting young woman who was also a paying customer to satisfy her sexual desires.
“In his search for sexual gratification, he had no thought of harming the victim.”
His behavior was predatory in that he kissed and intimately touched her vagina and even force-kissed her lips.
The judge said the sexual assault “changed the victim’s life.”
Pauline Curtis of CPS said: “As a professional photographer, Pascal Mollière exploited a young woman who simply wanted a portfolio of images to help her launch an acting career. She did not consent to any sexual activity.”
“The victim trusted Mollière as a professional photographer, but she betrayed that trust when she was in her most vulnerable state.”
“During the trial, Mollière said he behaved professionally throughout the photoshoot and denied the allegations. But after hearing all the evidence in this case, the jury disagreed. He thought.”
“The prosecution’s case included strong testimonies from the courageous victim who came to court and testified against her attacker during the trial.”
“Sex crimes are among the most complex cases we prosecute. I hope these convictions allow the victim to move forward and encourage other victims of such crimes to come forward and speak out against their attackers. CPS is committed to bringing sex offenders to justice, no matter how long it takes.”
His conviction comes nearly two and a half years after a jury from the same court acquitted him of groping two aspiring actresses.
In separate photoshoots, Mollière allegedly kissed the women and touched one of the women’s bare breasts after asking them to undress.
He denied the allegations and was acquitted of two counts of sexual assault after a new trial in September 2018.
Some Quick Facts About Pascal Molliere’s
- Pascal Molliere, 55, attacked the then 22-year-old woman during a photoshoot
- I photographed them in July 2010 in a warehouse in Fulham, West London
- The photographer closed the studio door and then encouraged her to take off more and more of her clothes and pose for ever more revealing photos
- He touched and kissed her genitals and kissed her hard on the mouth
- The #MeToo movement prompted her to denounce the attack in 2019.
