Magician David Blaine has strongly denied an allegation that he sexually assaulted a British woman in 2004, making a statement through his lawyers to refute the accusations.
British former model Natasha Prince has accused Blaine of sexually assaulting her at a private residence in London‘s Chelsea district, when she was aged 21.
Prince, who now works as an art dealer in the US, reported the incident to police late last year. In a statement to The Daily Beast, they said:
“Officers from the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command are investigating an allegation of rape. The allegation was reported to police on 17 November 2016 by a woman who alleged she was raped at an address in Chelsea in June or July 2004 when she was aged 21. There have been no arrests at this stage and enquiries continue.”
Prince recalled very specific details of the alleged incident in an earlier interview with The Daily Beast, saying that it left her feeling “anxiety and a fear of men” and a sense of low self-esteem.
She says she stopped modelling at the age of 24, giving up the career she loved because her resulting insecurity, anxiety and eating disorder made it difficult to attend castings.
Speaking on the incident some 13 years later, Prince said that it took her a long time to report it to police because she blamed herself, saying “I was ashamed and worried about everyone knowing.”
London police have asked David Blaine to come to the UK for an “interview under caution”, where he will be provided with details of the allegations against him.
Blaine’s lawyer Marty Singer released an official statement to media, saying:
“My client vehemently denies that he raped or sexually assaulted any woman, ever, and he specifically denies raping a woman in 2004. If, in fact, there is any police investigation, my client will fully cooperate because he has nothing to hide.”
