Wren 'disgusted by chef's assault'

A Royal Navy Wren felt "disgusted" and "dirty" after a female chef allegedly groped her after a staff party at Chequers, a court martial heard today.

The 25-year-old woman claimed she was assaulted by Corporal Rose McLaughlin, 30, at the Prime Minister's country retreat on 18 December last year after she rebuffed her advances.

McLaughlin allegedly stripped to her underwear before arriving at the Wren's bedroom where she kissed her, tried to pull her top off and committed indecent assault.

The young Wren broke down in tears as she described how McLaughlin had climbed into her bed and attempted to undress her.

She told the court martial at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire: "She grabbed me by the arms and pushed me against the wall. She tried to kiss me on my left cheek. She carried on down towards my breast. I pushed her off. I felt disgusting and dirty. She said she had fancied me for ages, and said, 'you have been leading me on'."

McLaughlin then reportedly lay down on her bed and patted it, urging the Wren to lie down.

The Navy rating continued: "I didn't know what to do. She got up, came towards me and pushed my legs apart, then pushed her hand into my pants."

The Wren said that McLaughlin clamped her arms around her thigh and refused to let go. The Wren claimed that the assault came to an end when the corporal stood up and said "I'm sorry" before leaving the room.

McLaughlin, who faces being demoted or expelled from the RAF if found guilty, has denied the single charge of indecent assault.

The two women had already attracted attention at the party when McLaughlin kissed the rating in front of the housekeeper.

The following day, the Wren told a colleague: "Rosie tried it on."

Meanwhile, McLaughlin allegedly told the Chequers housekeeper: "I can't believe what I've done. I can't forgive myself."

The Wren made a formal complaint and an inquiry was launched by the RAF police.

Although McLaughlin admitted being in the room, she claimed it was the Wren who had tried to seduce her. She also admitted that as she pushed the Wren away she may have touched her breast.

The court martial continues.