DJ Dave Lee Travis on trial over alleged sex assaults

DJ Dave Lee Travis was an "opportunist" who assaulted "vulnerable" young woman while working in the entertainment industry, a court has heard.

The 68-year-old carried out a series of assaults which were “sexual in nature” while working as a disc jockey, acting in pantomimes and even at the opening or a hospital radio station, a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London was told.

The former Radio One DJ, whose real name is David Patrick Griffin, is on trial accused of assaulting 11 women, one of whom was 15 at the time of the alleged crime. Opening the Crown's case, prosecutor Miranda Moore QC said women had come forward from "all parts of the United Kingdom" with similar allegations against Travis.

The alleged assaults were carried out by

Travis “in a work environment”, including an appearance at the opening of a hospital radio station, Ms Moore said.

“The offences vary in gravity,” she said. “All are sexual in nature involving unwanted contact by this defendant on much younger women, both over clothing and under clothing,” Ms Moore added.

Travis had been “opportunist” in targeting “young women who were very vulnerable”, Ms Moore said.

Travis, from Buckinghamshire, is charged with 13 counts of indecent assault dating between 1976 and 2003, and one count of sexual assault in 2008.

He was arrested under Scotland Yard's Operation Yewtree, which was prompted by abuse allegations involving the late Jimmy Savile, the court heard.

PA