University Challenge TV star ‘raped girl on drunken night’, court hears

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Bartolomeo Cuthbert Joly de Lotbiniere stands trial over allegations he raped a fellow student

Bartolomeo Cuthbert Joly de Lotbiniere’s alleged victim reported him after he appeared on the TV quiz and became an internet sensation due to his unusual name.

The history student is said to have followed the girl back to her halls of residence bedroom at York University and forced himself on her.

Two days later he sent an apologetic text, admitting: “I was a disgrace.”

A year after the alleged attack Joly de Lotbiniere, 21, appeared on the long-running BBC Two quiz show in 2015.

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The young man is known for his appearances on University Challenge

His team were knocked out in their semi-final.

He denies sexual assault and rape in June 2014 after a night out drinking to celebrate the end of his first term at the university.

The jury at York Crown Court was told Joly de Lotbiniere tried to kiss the girl, then 19, outside her room before telling her: “We should have sex.”

She rebuffed him and went into her room but said that as she closed the door she realised Joly de Lotbiniere had followed her inside.

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Joly de Lotbiniere denies raping the alleged victim in 2014

It is claimed he again began to kiss her and ask for sex, saying it would help her “get over an ex-boyfriend”.

Pretend this never happened, tell no one about this

Bartolomeo Cuthbert Joly de Lotbiniere, allegedly

Gerald Hendron, prosecuting, said the undergraduate then began removing the girl’s T-shirt, bra and trousers as he revealed he had been “fantasising” about her.

She later said in a police interview: “Once he had taken off of my top I froze”.

The jury was told the girl attempted to push Joly de Lotbiniere away but he picked her up and carried her to her bed where he removed her trousers.

The alleged assaults took place as the girl continued to resist him, Mr Hendron said.

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The court heard Joly de Lotbiniere apologised via text messages, for the alleged incident

She claimed that he told her as she lay curled up under her duvet: “Pretend this never happened, tell no one about this.”

Two days later the girl sent a text message to Joly de Lotbiniere, of Brent, North London, telling him: “I wasn’t overly comfortable with what happened on Thursday night.”

He is said to have replied: “Nor am I, I was a disgrace. I did a very stupid thing and I’m very sorry for what I did.

“I just hope you can forgive me at some point and I’ll try my best not to act like a bloody 14-year-old again and start acting my age. Sorry.”

The court was told the girl later encountered him at a party but they did not speak. Later that evening he sent a text saying: “I wanted to apologise to you in person tonight.

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The rape trial continues at York Crown Court

“I want you to know I am very sorry, there is no enmity between us and we can move on as mutual friends.”

But the girl went to police in August 2015 – 14 months after the alleged attack – after seeing Joly de Lotbiniere’s quiz show appearances.

She told police: “He was on University Challenge and it was just all over social media. I just wanted to do something about it.”

Joly de Lotbiniere was arrested the following month. He claimed they tried to have consensual sex but he was unable to perform.

He said his text apologies had been about his “inexperience” and shame over his failure.

The trial continues.