Berkshire showjumping coach trial: Defence say alleged victim sent him 'I love you' message
John Sillett from Farley Hill near Reading denies sexual abuse charges including serious sexual assault
The alleged victim of sexual abuse by a former Olympic showjumping coach sent him a message saying “I love you” as he lay ill in hospital, a court has heard.
John Sillett, who trained riders for the 2016 Rio Games, faces five counts of rape, five of assault by penetration and two of sexual assault.
The 55-year-old’s trial at Winchester Crown Court has heard that the assaults, all involving the same girl, are alleged to have started when she was aged between 12 and 13.
Martin Liddiard, defending, told the jury that, after the period of alleged abuse had finished, the victim had stayed in contact with the defendant, including arranging to meet up with him.
And when Sillett became ill and ended up in hospital for a few days, she sent him a message saying: “Hi John, I don’t know if you are using your phone or not, I just wanted to message to say I love you and if you need anything let me know. Can I visit tomorrow?”
She had also previously sent him birthday cards over several years, with one saying: “To John, happy birthday, hope you have a fantastic day, thank you for everything you have done for me.”
She signed other cards “lots of love” and “love you millions”, the court heard.
Mr Liddiard asked the victim: “This is a man who you say repeatedly raped you but these are examples of you contacting that person?”
She replied: “I saw John as two different people”, adding that she had “affection” for one, and saw the other “as the guy who did what he did to me”.
Kerry Maylin, prosecuting, has told the court that the alleged attacks began with Sillett, of Bunglers Hill, Farley Hill, Wokingham, Berkshire, groping the girl before he went on to rape and sexually assault her on several other occasions.
The defendant, who was based at the Wellington Riding Centre on the Duke of Wellington’s estate, south of Reading, denies the charges and the trial continues.