Richard Keys’ daughter denies abusive texts to his ‘lover’

The daughter of sports presenter Richard Keys has denied bombarding her father’s alleged lover with abusive texts.

Former Hollyoaks star Jemma Keys, 32, is accused of sending threatening messages to lawyer Lucie Rose, 28, after hearing claims of her relationship with her 60-year-old father in January.

Ms Keys was charged with one count of harassment without violence over a series of texts sent to Ms Rose between 31 October and 8 December.

Jemma Keys the daughter of former sports presenter Richard Keys, is accused of sending threatening messages to his alleged former lover, Lucie Rose (pictured)

Jemma Keys (left), the daughter of former sports presenter Richard Keys, is accused of sending threatening messages to his alleged former lover, Lucie Rose (right)

Keys, pictured with his wife Julia and daughter Jemma in 2007, has denied any affair

Keys, pictured with his wife Julia and daughter Jemma in 2007, has denied any affair

She admits sending the messages but claims she was mentally ill at the time, the court heard.

Her father, who left Sky Sports in disgrace after making sexist comments about a female referee, reportedly spent two nights with Ms Rose in January, although he has publicly denied an affair.

His wife of 34 years, Julia, 56, threatened to file for divorce amid the claims earlier this year.

Their daughter appeared at Thames magistrates’ court today wearing a cream overcoat over a black top.

The actress spoke only to confirm her name and to deny one count of harassment without violence.

Miss Keys with Ms Rose

Ms Rose allegedly spent the night with Mr Keys in January

Left: Miss Keys with Ms Rose. Right: Ms Rose allegedly spent the night with Mr Keys in January

Mr Keys was seen as a hotel with Ms Rose in January but has denied claims of an affair

Mr Keys was seen as a hotel with Ms Rose in January but has denied claims of an affair

Jonathan Black, defending, said: ‘It isn’t a straightforward denial, there are psychiatric issues relating to intention.’

The court heard Jemma was sent a harassment warning about her contact with Ms Rose, but she claims she did not receive it. 

Magistrate Peter Lush ordered Jemma not to contact Lucie while she is on conditional bail, adding: ‘If you see her in the street you walk away, do you understand?’

The defendant replied: ‘I do sir.’

Jemma Keys, of Ascot, Berkshire, will stand trial for one count of harassment without violence at Stratford magistrates’ court on 22 March.

Ms Keys denies the charge and her lawyer told the court she says she was mentally ill at the time

Ms Keys denies the charge and her lawyer told the court she says she was mentally ill at the time

Ms Keys denies the charge. Her lawyer told the court she says she was mentally ill at the time

In February this year, Mr Keys’ wife, Julia, spoke about the moment she believed he was having an affair.

She told the Mail: ‘I suddenly thought, “Hang on. I think something is going on with Richard”. There were classic symptoms: he was overprotective with his phone, the secret calls, the late-night texts quickly deleted.’  

She added: ‘I was so angry. There was a part of me that had actually been accepting of the situation. When you’re lied to so prolifically… lies are so damaging. They make a person doubt themselves and their own gut feelings.

‘When you’re constantly being told, “It’s all in your mind” – which is part of the manscript, by the way, to shift responsibility – that “You’re mad,” or “You’re imagining things,” you start to believe it. 

‘I called Richard and I said, very calmly, “I’ve just been shown some photos of you and Lucie. There is really nothing left to say, is there?” He didn’t reply. He couldn’t. I’m really, really sad that at this stage in our life we find ourselves compromised in this way. ‘

It is understood Ms Rose met the Keys family after they moved to Doha when Mr Keys was offered a lucrative £420,000 job as the face of Qatar sports channel beIN. 

Keys made his name alongside pundit Andy Gray on Sky Sports Monday Night Football

Keys made his name alongside pundit Andy Gray on Sky Sports Monday Night Football

 

 

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