Tried for a sex crime... because I brushed past film star in morning rush: Artist, 51, accused of bizarre 'hit and run' assault on actress despite no evidence or witnesses - so why DID it come to trial?

Tried for a sex crime... because I brushed past film star in morning rush: Artist, 51, accused of bizarre 'hit and run' assault on actress despite no evidence or witnesses - so why DID it come to trial?

Mark Pearson, a 51-year-old artist, was on his way home from work, weaving through a thick tide of London commuters when he walked past a woman who later claimed he sexually assaulted her. This was followed, she insisted, by a violent blow to her left shoulder. Images of the moments before and after they passed were captured from CCTV and shown to a jury during Mr Pearson's three-day trial at Blackfriars Crown Court in London last week. Mr Pearson told the court: 'I would have had to crouch down, put my hand up the woman's skirt... penetrate her, take my hand out again... all while holding the newspaper and walking along the concourse... It's preposterous... It is against everything I believe in as a human being. I did nothing.' It came as little surprise to Mr Pearson - though he was profoundly relieved and grateful - when the jury of nine women and three men unanimously rejected the woman's story after deliberating for little more than 90 minutes.