A theme park worker accused of sexually assaulting three women said he had a ‘flirtatious personality’ and it was ‘just banter’ when he smacked women’s bottoms at work.
Ride operator Tishad Ifill, 19, explained the behaviour was ‘just sort of me’ when questioned by park managers in July and August last year about the alleged sexual assaults.
Ifill also admitted in the company’s investigation that he smacked co-workers on the bottom regularly and had ‘friendly banter’ with them.
Ride operator Tishad Ifill, 19, (pictured) explained the behaviour was ‘just sort of me’ when questioned by park managers in July and August last year about the alleged sexual assaults
When asked about inappropriate touching he said: ‘Just smack the bum. Not in a bad way, just for a joke really.
‘Sometimes I would hug someone and pull into my lap but not against their will.
‘They would say ‘no’ and I would be like fair enough.’
The interviews were read out to jurors during the trial at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday.
The interviews were read out to jurors during the trial at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday
Ifill denied he had tried to kiss the complainants on their face and necks, tried to control their hands or push them up against walls.
The court heard investigating officers had to approach the theme park to obtain the documents.
They were not informed of the allegations until one of the victims made a complaint to Surrey Police in September.
After being arrested by police in October on charges relating to the first victim, Ifill told officers: ‘I thought we got on sort of had a flirty relationship, banter, quite close.’
He said on an occasion in which the victim alleges he tried to touch her inappropriately through his jeans, the pair had ‘just been talking’.
Ifill said: ‘I remember that moment on the bed because it was a deep conversation and then a fire alarm went off.
He added: ‘The only bit I remember was that I wanted to take her out on a date but she said no because I was talking to someone else.’
Ifill, of Newark Court, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, denies nine counts of sexual assault, one count of exposure and one count of inciting another into sexual activity.
The trial continues.
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