Rock star Hallyday denies sexual assault aboard yacht
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.the French rock star Johnny Hallyday is being accused of sexually assaulting a young woman who worked on his yacht.The 59-year-old singer's lawyer, Daniel Vaconsin, called the claim "blackmail" and said his client had faced similar baseless accusations for years.
M. Hallyday, whose real name is Jean-Philippe Smet, is also facing possible charges of threatening behaviour and inspiring malicious phone calls to a woman named only as Marie-Christine, 34, a stewardess on the luxury yacht Irina in 2001.
She says M. Hallyday came to her cabin, asked her to get him a drink, then sexually assaulted her. Two other members of the crew and a photographer friend of hers aboard are not thought to have heard anything.
Four days later the yacht arrived at Saint-Tropez and Ms Marie-Christine's employment contract was terminated. She was medically examined and had bruises and scratches on her body.
The chief prosecutor in Nice has opened an inquiry. M. Hallyday denies all charges and says he is ready to assist with all investigations. His lawyer has also claimed to have had phone calls from a representative of the accuser demanding €450,000 (£305,000) to drop all charges. Ms Marie-Christine said she had been traumatised and depressed. "My life has been turned upside down, I first went to live with my mother and then fled abroad."
She had waited a year, till June 2002, to report the alleged incident. Since then she said she had been harassed by telephone and threatened.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments