01 December 2021

Youngest Maxwell accuser tells court she flew with Andrew in private plane

01 December 2021

Ghislaine Maxwell’s youngest alleged victim has told a court she flew on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein’s private plane with the Duke of York and met former president Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort at the age of 14.

The witness, giving evidence under the pseudonym “Jane” at a US federal court in the Southern District of New York on Wednesday, told jurors she does “not believe I have come up with a memory” of being sexually abused by Maxwell

The 59-year-old British socialite, who was described as “dangerous” during the opening statements of the trial, is accused of preying on vulnerable young girls and luring them to massage rooms to be molested by Epstein between 1994 and 2004.

Jane, who is now an actress in her 40s, told the court on Tuesday she had been summoned to an orgy by Maxwell and Epstein at the age of 14, which had left her “frozen with fear”.

Ghislaine Maxwell watching testimony of witnesses during her trial (Elizabeth Williams via AP) (AP)

But on Wednesday, the Duke of York was dragged into the sex trafficking trial for the second day in a row as the witness recalled flying with Andrew on Epstein’s plane.

During cross-examination on Wednesday, defence counsel Laura Menninger said: “When you were 14, Epstein took you in a dark green car to Mar-a-Lago and you met Donald Trump there, correct?”

“Correct,” Jane said.

The witness also said she had again associated with Mr Trump at a beauty pageant, where Epstein had given her 2,000 dollars for a dress.

Asked if she had cried about only being given 2,000 dollars, Jane replied: “That’s ridiculous, I wouldn’t do that.”

Ms Menninger continued: “Do you remember Prince Andrew being on a flight with you?”

“Yes.”

Jane was then asked: “You claim there was a photo of you on Epstein’s desk and you were wearing a bathing suit, correct?”

“Correct,” she said.

The cross examination continued: “You have talked to your family members (about Epstein)?”

“Some of them.”

“You have talked to your ex-boyfriend?”

“Yes,” Jane replied.

On Tuesday, Jane said she did not tell anybody about any abuse because she was “terrified” and “felt gross and ashamed”.

I don’t believe I have come up with a memory, no

She also told jurors Epstein used sex toys on her “even though it hurt”, and he and Maxwell fondled each other while “casually giggling” in front of the teenager.

During cross-examination, Ms Menninger asked Jane: “It is true that you do not recall Ghislaine ever touching you?”

“That’s not true,” Jane replied.

Ms Menninger said: “You spoke to the government in December 2019 with your lawyers there and you told them at that time that you were not sure whether Maxwell ever touched you during these encounters.”

“I don’t recall,” the witness replied.

“You told the Government you were not sure if Ghislaine ever kissed you.”

“I don’t recall.”

“You told the Government you had no memory of Ghislaine being present when you claim Epstein engaged in any sexual contact, correct?”

“I don’t recall.”

“As you sit here today, you are not sure you were ever alone in a room with Ghislaine and Epstein, correct?”

“No.”

A line of people, mostly journalists, wait to enter the courthouse for the trial (Seth Wenig/AP) (AP)

Jane told the court it was correct to say Maxwell never watched her perform oral sex on Epstein.

Asked if she had come up with a memory of Maxwell being involved in any sexual encounters, Jane said: “I don’t believe I have come up with a memory, no.”

Before day three of her trial, Maxwell entered the courtroom and nodded at her sister Isabel and brother Kevin, sitting in the front row of the public gallery.

Wearing a charcoal-grey turtleneck jumper and a black face mask, she had separate conversations with both siblings as they leaned over the bench.

Maxwell embraced her counsel a number of times before the beginning of the court session, and took several sips from her water bottle.

The full indictment against her lists six charges: conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts; enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts; conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity; sex trafficking conspiracy; and sex trafficking of a minor.

The defendant is further alleged to have lied under oath by hiding her participation in Epstein’s offences during a separate civil case.

Maxwell, who has been held in a US jail since her arrest in July last year, denies all charges.

The trial continues.

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