New allegation of attempted rape against Patrick Bruel, who is in police custody
A 46-year-old actress claims to have been a victim of an attempted rape by Patrick Bruel in the year 2000. Her complaint will be filed with the Nanterre public prosecutor's office, which is already centralising more than a dozen accusations.
A twelfth complainant against Patrick Bruel, twenty-six years after the alleged events
According to bfmtv.com, a new complaint for attempted rape will be filed against singer Patrick Bruel, who is currently in police custody. The complainant, identified by the name Béatrice, is an actress aged 46. The events she describes date back to the year 2000.
Her lawyer, Ms Myriam Benayoun, who also represents two other complainants—Ophélie Fajfer and Karine Viseur—announced on Tuesday morning on BFMTV that she was about to file the complaint in the coming days with the Nanterre public prosecutor's office. This prosecutor's office is centralising all accusations already recorded against the singer, totalling more than a dozen to date, for acts of rape and sexual assault.
An invitation to a premiere screening that turns into a nightmare
In the year 2000, Béatrice is 19 years old and aspires to a career as an actress. She participates in filming a music video for Patrick Bruel, whom she considers a fan of, having already attended two of his concerts. On set, she does not interact with the singer and does not even dare ask him for an autograph.
A few days later, Patrick Bruel calls her directly on her mobile phone, according to the account reported by Ms Benayoun to BFMTV. He invites her to view the video in premiere at his home, telling her that the entire film crew will be present. The young woman accepts, flattered by the invitation.
Upon arriving at the singer's penthouse, Béatrice notices that she is alone. Patrick Bruel welcomes her in a dressing gown, apparently naked underneath. Stunned, she says she tried to leave before mechanically following him into a room in the apartment when he asked her to stay to watch the video. In this room there is a large bed, on which the singer lies down; she prefers to remain standing.
Attempted rape and flight from the apartment
It is then that he pushes her backwards, gets on top of her and attempts to rape her, according to Béatrice's account as reported by her lawyer. The young woman manages to push him away, runs down the stairs and hurriedly leaves the apartment. She states that she heard the singer shout after her: "Go on, get out of here!"
In the days that follow, Patrick Bruel attempts to contact her again and invites her to a restaurant. Béatrice refuses. She does not file a complaint at that time and attempts to downplay the event to her friends. However, according to Ms Benayoun, the wound and fear of accusing a man so well-known persist.
Speaking out as a catalyst
Twenty-six years later, it is the public statements of other complainants that prompted Béatrice to take the step. She wishes to file a complaint, her lawyer indicates, "to provide" her "support to other victims".
Patrick Bruel contests all the facts alleged against him. The Nanterre public prosecutor's office must decide on Wednesday 10 June on the judicial follow-up to be given to this case. The singer's lawyers, contacted by BFMTV, did not wish to comment for the moment.
Source: Google News BE FR