ANDREW Tate’s alleged Brit victims feared the toxic influencer would leak naked pictures of them if they brought a case against him, court documents reveal.
The four women, who are suing Tate, 38, in London‘s High Court, say they were raped and sexually assaulted by the former kickboxer.
Andrew Tate gestures while speaking to media after checking in at a police station as part of his judicial control in Romania[/caption]
Andrew Tate speaks to media outside the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism in Romania[/caption]
Andrew (R) and Tristan Tate (L) arrive in Florida after being allowed to leave Romania following an intervention by Donald Trump’s administration[/caption]
The group also claim they were threatened with rape and death by Tate’s dedicated “fanbase” after speaking out in a Panorama documentary.
A preliminary hearing in the civil case started at the Royal Courts of Justice on Tuesday to cover legal disagreements and costs.
One of the women says that Tate, who is currently in Dubai, pointed a gun in her face and said “you’re going to do as I say or there’ll be hell to pay”.
Anne Studd KC, for the women, told the court today: “One of the reasons why allegations of historic sexual abuse have often been made much later is because of the effects of trauma.”
Explaining further why it has taken so long to bring the case, Ms Studd said in written submissions in the reply to Tate’s defence: “The Claimants were apprehensive about proceedings against the Defendant because of the aggressive online presence of himself and his dedicated followers.
“The Defendant had previously attempted to sue an American woman who made similar complaints against him.
“The Claimants knew that he had threatened to release personal images, sometimes naked images, online of those who spoke out and further that he attempted to blackmail those who spoke out against him.
“When a documentary about the Defendant was aired, he mentioned individuals’ names, and those individuals were threatened with death and rape by the Defendant’s ‘fanbase.’”
Tate’s defence argues that too much time has passed to bring the case, which relates to allegations between 2013 and 2015.
In a skeleton argument on behalf of the claimants issued today, Ms Studd said the case is understood to be the first of its kind, as it challenges whether coercive control can be brought as a claim in the civil court.
She said: “It is a form of grooming and manipulation where the victim becomes less and less able to respond in what might be perceived as a normal way in particular, she may not leave even if the door is open.
“The Claimants aver that behaviour identified as coercive control can in law give rise to a claim for intentional infliction of harm in tort and thus sound in damages.”
The claimants want to call experts Professor Jane Monkton Smith, who specialises in research into VAWG, and Professor Timothy Dalgleish, a clinical psychologist at the University of Cambridge whose area of expertise is the impact of sexual trauma.
The two reports will cost an estimated £9,880 – whereas Tate’s defence wants to call one expert which will cost a whopping £74,600.
Explaining the need for the experts, Ms Studd said that “there is a risk that by looking at matters in isolation most High Court judges will need assistance to appreciate the significance of the Claimants’ accounts and may resort to the old-fashioned definitions of domestic abuse which are now recognised as being antiquated”.
The hearing this morning heard arguments for an additional expert to be called in the case to support the claimant’s case for bringing the claim years after the alleged incidents.
Acting for Andrew Tate, Vanessa Marshall KC, said there is no need for the extra expert to be called.
She said: “One needs to throw into the pot that two or three [of the claimants] were able to approach the police within months of leaving Andrew Tate.”
TATE ARREST TIMELINE
ANDREW and Tristan Tate were arrested in December 2022 and later charged with human trafficking, rape, and forming an organised crime group to sexually exploit women.
Here is a timeline of everything that’s happened since they were nicked:
DECEMBER 29, 2022: The brothers are detained in Romania for 30 days, along with two women, on suspicion of human trafficking, rape, and forming an organised crime group.
JANUARY 3, 2023: Romanian authorities seize Andrew’s luxury car collection.
JAN 8, 2023: A cryptic tweet is posted to Andrew Tate’s account which reads: “The Matrix has attacked me. But they misunderstand, you cannot kill an idea. Hard to Kill.”
JAN 10, 2023: Andrew appears in court in Bucharest to appeal his detention but the judge rules against him.
MARCH 31, 2023: The Bucharest Court of Appeal rules against a judge’s decision to extend Andrew’s incarceration for a fourth time; Andrew is placed on house arrest.
JUNE 20, 2023: The brothers are formally charged with human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.
JULY 13, 2023: The Tates launch a $5million lawsuit against a Florida woman who they say falsely accused them of imprisoning her in Romania – which led to their arrest there on human trafficking charges.
AUGUST 4, 2023: Andrew wins an appeal to be released from house arrest in Romania as he awaits trial on charges of human trafficking.
DECEMBER 11, 2023: A judge denies the Tate brothers’ appeals to have £10million worth of assets returned to them.
JANUARY 8, 2024: The Bucharest Court of Appeal overturns the decision; the brothers are to have their assets returned to them.
MARCH 12, 2024: Both brothers are arrested in Romania over allegations of sexual aggression in the UK that date back to 2012 and 2015. They deny the allegations.
MARCH 22, 2024: The brothers lost their appeal to get back £10million worth of assets seized by cops.
APRIL 26, 2024: A Romanian court rules that Andrew and Tristan will face trail over ongoing probe into rape and human trafficking.
JULY 5, 2024: Courts rule that Andrew and Tristan can leave Romania – but must stay in the EU.
JANUARY 14, 2025: Brothers freed from house arrest.
FEBRUARY 27, 2025: Andrew and Tristan flee Romania on a private jet for Florida.
MARCH 21, 2025: Tates arrive back in Bucharest as investigations continue.
“At least two of these claimants were happy to go on television and be interviewed by the press about the impact on them,” she added.
Two of the claimants are former girlfriends and two are women who worked for his webcam business in Luton.
Tate has denied the claims in a written defence, calling them a “pack of lies” and “gross fabrications”.
Tate faces other serious legal challenges in the UK, the US and Romania.
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
- Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
- Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
- Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
- Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
- The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge on 0808 2000 247 for free at any time, day or night
- Men who are being abused can call Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or ManKind on 0182 3334 244
- Those who identify as LGBT+ can ring Galop on 0800 999 5428
- If you are in immediate danger or fear for your life, always ring 999
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.