Marina boss on trial for groping

THE owner of a Thames marina is on trial for groping his apprentices at his boatyard and slapping their bottoms.

Myck Djurberg, 56, owner of Hampton Marina on the Thames it is alleged routinely slapped the behinds of his apprentices at the marina, they being afraid to complain for fear of losing their jobs, Patrick Cull tells us.

Sexual liking

It was stated at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court that he had a sexual liking for the young men he employs and took advantage of his power and control to sexually assault them.

The three men concerned are aged from 17 to 21, with one telling the court that Djurberg was a 'creep' and made sexual comments and innuendo towards those working for him, with a further witness stating he saw him slapping the bottoms of workers as they were bent over working.

Daily event

The 17 years old was also slapped on the bottom, that increased to a daily event and the complainant was too embarrassed to report it, the court was told, with another apprentice being asked out on dates and also being slapped.

However, Djurberg denied  touching the men when questioned by police late last year, stating that the men had been 'set up' by their bosses because he was suing them for shoddy work.

The trial is expected to last until the end of the week.