Dave Lee Travis trial: BBC DJ 'asked journalist to pose in photographs at his home'

The alleged victim's flatmate also gave evidence, and claimed she was "stressed" and "upset" after the reporter visited Travis' home

Dave Lee Travis, whose real name is David Patrick Griffin, arrives at Southwark Crown Court, pictured on 17 January. (Getty Images)

A journalist has told a court that veteran DJ Dave Lee Travis allegedly groped her breasts after asking her to pose for suggestive photographs for him.

The woman, who said she was 24 at the time, said she knew Travis was suggesting she pose in a bikini or her underwear after noticing a similar photo of a pop star on his wall.

The unnamed witness said the incident took place when she went to the former BBC presenter's home to interview him about a photograph of him and Jimmy Savile alongside a number of other DJs.

She told London's Southwark Crown Court that she noticed a “provocative” photograph on the wall of a pop star posing on her knees in a bikini, and he later grabbed hold of her breasts “as if he was judging himself - whether they were big enough,” for a few seconds.

Giving evidence from behind a screen, she recalled events and told jurors that, as they both looked at the picture, “Dave Lee Travis said to me 'I'm also a photographer'.

"He slightly looked down at me and said 'Well, you've got a good figure, I could take a photograph of you'."

The woman said she felt "embarrassed" and "taken aback".

Describing the former Top Of The Pops presenter as a “larger- than-life character,” she said they then proceeded with the interview in the recording studio at his home before chatting more generally as she had spare time before her train.

She went on: “He raised photography and said again 'I could take some photos of you'.

"The first time when I dismissed it, I thought the conversation wouldn't happen again.

“The fact that he raised it again, I almost felt like I had to justify myself,” she said, before telling him her “boobs aren’t big enough” to “put him off.”

”He didn't say anything, there was a split second where neither of us said anything and then suddenly he put his arms out and put his hands on my breasts and then quizzically put his head to the side as if he was judging.”

“I did not invite him to touch me,” she added.

During cross-examination from Stephen Vullo, defending Travis, the woman said she would never pose for such photographs for anyone.

Mr Vullo put it to the woman that Travis had said the incident did not happen.

“That's a lie,” she said.

A friend of the journalist also gave evidence, telling jurors they discussed what Travis had allegedly done to her that evening.

The woman, who shared a house with the alleged victim, said she appeared “stressed” and “upset” when she came home from work.

The witness said her friend told her: “He'd made a lascivious comment about, I don't know, drawing her or something, and then after that he'd placed both his hands on her breasts.”

Travis, of Buckinghamshire, denies 13 indecent assaults and one sexual assault, dating back to 1976 and the height of his fame.

The alleged offending includes when he was working as a BBC DJ, as a broadcaster with Classic Gold radio, while appearing on Top Of The Pops, and when starring in panto.

The trial was adjourned to tomorrow.

PA