A sports expert has told CPH POST that Danish golfer Thorbjørn Olesen can expect to serve a fair amount of time in prison if he is convicted of sexually assaulting a fellow passenger onboard a BA flight in 2019. 

He is also charged with assaulting an air hostess and being drunk on an aircraft.

The expert, Costa Rican-based sports analyst Angus Hamilton, cites a similar case that took place in 2002 when top Irish jump jockey Tim Murphy was found guilty of indecently assaulting an air hostess aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight travelling from Tokyo to London. 

Like Olesen, he was also tried in London.

More than nine months probably
Murphy was sentenced to nine months in prison (six for the assault, three for being drunk and disorderly on a flight) and placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years.

If convicted, argues Hamilton, Olesen looks likely to serve as much time as Murphy because not only is he accused of assaulting an air hostess, but also a fellow passenger. 

Murphy’s indecent assault was more serious that what Olesen is accused of, as he was found guilty of fondling the air hostess’s genitals, whereas Olesen is accused of grabbing his fellow passenger’s breasts.

Like Olesen, Murphy also urinated in the aisle and could not remember what had happened once he came to his senses.

Olesen remembers taking sleeping pills before the episode and having a drink. Unfortunately a lot more followed. 

Two alleged assaults
The fellow passenger who Olesen allegedly assaulted told the court he was very persistent.

“He grabbed my hand and kissed it. He would not let go. He nuzzled his head into the nape of my neck. I thought he clearly did not know what he was doing,” she said.

“I was very wary of his behaviour as he had been aggressive towards crew members. He had his right hand around my back. He then grabbed my breast and moved his hand over my right breast. I felt shocked. It had overstepped the mark.”

The air hostess, meanwhile, has accused Olesen of assaulting her after trying to help him back from the toilet.

“He pushed me with his right hand on my right shoulder, saying: ‘It’s all about you isn’t it? Just go away.’ He had assaulted me,” she said.

Olesen has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial continues.