Wimbledon tennis bodyguard molested and tried to rape colleague after drink and cocaine binge, court hears

A Wimbledon tennis tournament players’ bodyguard molested and tried to rape a female colleague after the pair enjoyed drink and cocaine into the early hours, a court heard.

Phillip Harrison, 32, was employed as an official ‘player escort’ alongside the complainant at last year’s tournament in south-west London. 

The close protection officers had just completed their duties in the qualifying tournament and celebrated with other colleagues at The Angel pub.

They continued drinking at the University of Roehampton, where they were staying in halls temporarily.

It was then that the alleged assault took place.

Harrison, of Littlewood Close, Browney, Durham, has pleaded not guilty to attempted rape, plus a count of assault by penetration on June 30, 2023.

Phillip Harrison, pictured at Kingston Crown Court, was employed as an official player escort at the Wimbledon tennis championships last year

Harrison denies attempting to rape a female colleague

The alleged attempted rape took place in halls at the University of Roehampton, whose campus is pictured, not far from Wimbledon

The complainant, who cannot be identified as an alleged victim of a sexual offence, said in a video interview shown to jurors: ‘I woke up to Phil in my bedroom. He was in bed with me naked.

‘I said: “What the f*** are you doing in my bedroom?” and the next thing he was beside me.

‘He just kind of laughed it off a little bit. He undressed and climbed into bed with me.

‘He was kissing my back, neck and ears and was putting his hand on my breast and between my legs a few times and he kept trying to put his hand between my legs.

‘He tried to push hard further between my legs around five times and was saying he was really horny.

‘I told him to leave and he said I was moody. I rolled over onto my stomach so the mattress was protecting most of the parts of my body and he sat on top of me.’

Prosecutor Charlotte Newell told the trial at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court that Harrison had been texting his affections to the complainant throughout the evening and had twice tried to kiss her when they were drinking in her room, along with another male colleague.

Ms Newell said: ‘He twice tried to kiss her and she rebuffed his advances, but continued making sexual overtures to her by text.’

At 7.24am Harrison texted: ‘Filth don’t come into it,’ ‘Let me tease and please you like never before’ and ‘Give into temptation,’ the court heard.

The prosecutor said he ‘also tried to tempt her with more cocaine,’ and also texted: ‘I’m coming for a cuddle. LMAO.’

Ms Newell said: ‘The Crown say Mr Harrison relentlessly pursued her for a sexual encounter.

‘He would not take no for an answer and persuaded reception staff to allow him access to her corridor and access to her room.

‘He walked into her bedroom, where she was naked in bed. He undressed and got into bed, lying behind her.

‘He stroked her body, cupped her breast and she moved his hand away, but he repeatedly put his hand between her legs.

Harrison and his alleged victim were both player escorts at the Wimbledon tennis championships, held in south-west London every summer

Harrison is on trial at Kingston Crown Court in west London

‘She rolled onto her front to stop him touching her and he climbed on top, pinning her down, straddling her as she kept her legs together.‘

Eventually Harrison left the woman’s room, but continued sending her texts. 

‘He told her he would lose everything and his life would be over if she reported him,’ said Ms Newell.

‘If she reported him the complaint would reveal she had used cocaine and it would negatively affect her career. 

‘That blackmail worked because she was conflicted, but decided it was necessary to do so.

‘He confessed to a colleague he had gone too far and expressed suicidal thoughts, saying he could not live with his actions on his conscience.’

The court heard Harrison also texted the woman: ‘FFS I can’t believe I came into your room. Obviously out of control,’ ‘OMFG what a mess I was in’ and ‘I’m sorry if I was OTT.’

The prosecutor said: ‘Mr Harrison begged the complainant not to report him, but she did and he was arrested three weeks later at a London hotel and was interviewed.

‘In a prepared statement he said she enticed him to her room where she had been flirtatious, but nothing had happened.

‘He says there was no touching and she is lying about that. He says he did not even take his clothes off and just tried to give her a kiss and cuddle and she was not interested.

‘He said he made no sexual advances and was shaken by the allegations.’

The trial continues.