Yonathan Gal, 30, from Kensal Rise, is also said to have used his smartphone to take photos of his alleged victim during the incident on March 22, 2015.
The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, claims she fell asleep at Gal’s house after the pair met up for a meal and drinks in Soho.
Jurors at Isleworth Crown Court heard that the alleged victim was assaulted in her semi-conscious state and became aware of a camera flashing, and a shutter sound.She did not wake up fully until the next morning and was persuaded by friends to report the incident to police on March 25, 2016.
ARRESTED
Gal was subsequently arrested, and photos of the victim were found on his phone. The court heard that the victim remembers being assaulted and photographs taken of her.
Gala was the filmmaker of the star-studded Dreadtown – The Steel Pulse Story about Birmingham-based reggae group Steel Pulse – and a crowd-funding campaign was launched last year in a bid to complete the documentary.
Stars who were to feature in the film included snoop Dogg (aka Snoop Lion), Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, No Doubt singer Gwen Stefani and Bob Marley’s widow Rita were thought to be among those set to feature in the film, which was narrated by Lethal Weapon star Danny Glover.
Going against the victim is the absence of any independent witness, but the pictures found on Gala’s mobile phone may tell a story of its own and be her witness, if the legal arguments accept it. A lot will depend on how this case transpires and how both Gala and his accuser fare under cross examination. Local press in the area and one other online publication besides the eye of media.com are following the case closely.