dabs.com founder back in court

The trial of Dabs.com founder David Atherton has kicked off this week in Leeds Crown Court.

According to various media reports including the BBC web site and The Telegraph, a 49-year-old woman described in court how the millionaire had subjected her to a violent sexual attack in his Greater Manchester home last August, and how she ‘feared for her life’.

Atherton, who sold dabs.com to BT in 2006, is alleged to have repeatedly punched her as he tried to rape her in the kitchen, and also threatened to drown her.

According to the woman’s statement to the jury, Atherton had begun eating cocaine, and showed signs of paranoia, claiming she had planned secret passages in his home and was working for the ‘bent police’.

Part of the alleged assault was captured on CCTV cameras Atherton had installed in his home, which was also shown in court, the reports claim.

The woman eventually managed to get away from the house and flagged down a passing car to ring the police. Atherton was then arrested.

After his arrest last August Atherton was released on a £10m bail surety and checked into a Priory clinic.

Atherton has denied charges of attempted rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration, making a threat to kill and false imprisonment.

The trial continues.