#MeToo: West End photographer Pascal Molliere jailed for sexually assaulting actress during shoot

Molliere locked the studio door and sexually assaulted the woman, who was in her 20s at the time and had paid for professional headshots, by groping and kissing her.
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A West End photographer has been jailed for three years for sexually assaulting an aspiring actress during a photoshoot in his locked studio, after she came forward following the #MeToo movement.

Pascal Molliere, 55, of Havant, Hants, carried out the assault at his studio in Fulham, west London, in July 2010, during a hour-long £400 headshot photography session.

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He locked the studio door and sexually assaulted the woman, who was in her 20s at the time and had paid for professional headshots for her portfolio, by groping and kissing her.

Molliere also asked the victim to wear lingerie, change into more revealing “sexy” clothes, and remove some of her clothing, while becoming “increasingly tactile”.

Pascal Molliere has been jailed for three years for sexually assaulting a young woman. Photo: Met PolicePascal Molliere has been jailed for three years for sexually assaulting a young woman. Photo: Met Police
Pascal Molliere has been jailed for three years for sexually assaulting a young woman. Photo: Met Police

The attack left her “incredibly distressed” and too afraid of Molliere to end the shoot early.

She reported the assault to the police in 2019 after being inspired by the #MeToo movement, and a news article about him being cleared of a series of similar sexual offences.

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Judge Philip Bartle QC sentenced Molliere to three years in prison and made a 10-year sexual harm prevention order banning him from photography work without police permission.

Molliere, also known as Pascal Gerrard, was found guilty on Friday, February 25, after a trial at Southwark Crown Court of three counts of sexual assault.

Two counts related to sexual assault by inappropriate touching and the third count related to sexual assault by kissing.

He was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, April 12.

Pascal Molliere has been jailed for three years for sexually assaulting a young woman. Photo: Met PolicePascal Molliere has been jailed for three years for sexually assaulting a young woman. Photo: Met Police
Pascal Molliere has been jailed for three years for sexually assaulting a young woman. Photo: Met Police

The victim initially contacted Molliere in July 2010 through a website for actors to find work.

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She believed him to be a reputable photographer who could help her produce headshots.

They messaged online and spoke on the phone to confirm a date, time and location.

Molliere said the £400 shoot would last around an hour and headshots wouldn’t take long.

He suggested she bring alternative clothes and lingerie, so he could also take provocative photos for the remainder of the time, suggesting that this would be good for her portfolio.

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On the day, the victim attended Molliere’s studio where he locked the door once she was inside - saying this was to protect her privacy and prevent the shoot from being interrupted.

Pascal Molliere has been jailed for three years for sexually assaulting a young woman. Photo: Met PolicePascal Molliere has been jailed for three years for sexually assaulting a young woman. Photo: Met Police
Pascal Molliere has been jailed for three years for sexually assaulting a young woman. Photo: Met Police

He became “increasingly tactile” as he suggested positioning for the photos and asked the victim to change into the “sexy” clothing he had asked for.

Molliere sexually assaulted the girl by sexual touching and kissing her and asked her to pose in a “provocative” way.

Despite being “incredibly distressed”, knowing the door was locked and fearing Molliere was potentially capable of harming her, she completed the photoshoot to avoid confrontation.

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After she left, the victim immediately called her boyfriend to tell him what had happened and he contacted Molliere, who refunded the £400 fee for the shoot.

In 2019, the victim saw an news article about Molliere being cleared in court of similiar sexual offences, and was prompted by this, and the #MeToo movement, to go to the police.

Det Con David Roberts, from the Met Police, said: “First and foremost, I would like to commend the survivor of this attack for her incredible bravery and courage.

“We know that reliving the trauma of incidents like this is horrific for survivors, and the composure she maintained throughout this trial has astounded myself and my team.”

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He added: “Our primary concern is that there may be more young women who have been subject to the same treatment by Molliere – who now goes by ‘Pascal Gerrard’.

“It is essential that, if you recognise either of these names and think that you may have been affected in a similar way, you let us know.

“We want everyone to understand that if you do not feel comfortable talking to police then there are a number of ways that you can report sexual assault, or any other crime, completely anonymously.

“I hope that today’s result demonstrates that the Met will stand with victims of crime.”

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If you have been a victim of sexual assault, you can contact police on 999, 101, or online at www.met.police.uk. You can also speak 100% anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Calls are never traced and computer IP addresses are never tracked.