Grope Case Don Told Student To Apply To MI6

Fri, April 21, 2006

Source: Guardian Unlimited

A senior Cambridge academic advised the former student he is accused of 'groping' to apply to MI6, a court was told today.

A senior Cambridge academic advised the former student he is accused of "groping" to apply to MI6, a court was told today.

The woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - had an interview with the intelligence service but was not offered a job, Cambridge crown court heard.

Dr Peter Hutchinson, 61, vice master of Trinity Hall College, denies sexually assaulting the woman - who is now a police officer - in his college rooms in October 2005. She had graduated from the university some years ago and kept in touch with Dr Hutchinson after leaving.

Jurors have heard how they swapped a series of emails before meeting for gin and tonics in his room. In one Dr Hutchinson wrote: "Just go a bit weak at the knees with blondes with a certain colour of eye who are just wonderful people as well." In another he had written: "When you see me don't wear anything provocative."

The woman - who was 24 at the time of the alleged assault - has told jurors that Hutchinson "grabbed her buttock" while making a "pervy Benny Hill-style" noise, then attempted to kiss her and run his fingers through her hair. She said she used a police self-defence technique to fend him off.

The woman today told jurors that she referred to Hutchinson as "Hutch" or "Hutchy" and was "fond of him.

"I would describe it as fondness for an elderly man," she added.

She told the jury: "I applied to be a member of MI6. My application to MI6 was suggested by Dr Hutchinson. I am aware of numerous people at university who had speculative interviews at MI6. It is not an unusual thing. I did not (get the job)."

The hearing continues.