British photographer David Hamilton accused of raping French children he took pictures of
The 83-year-old is facing assualt accusations from series of minors including French TV personality
A BRITISH photographer known for his portraits of teenage girls is facing child rape accusations in France, it has been revealed.
David Hamilton, 83, is said to have assaulted a number of youngsters over a long career in the country, including 42-year-old radio presenter Flavie Flament.
The Parisian claims she was just 13 when Mr Hamilton assaulted her at a nudist camp in Cap d’Agde, in the south of France.
He allegedly persuaded the girls parents to let him work alone with her on a shoot before the incident took place.
Since her testimony, at least three other women have come forward, but French law says the age limit for pressing charges of rape of a minor is 38, and the women are now in their 40s and 50s.
Mr Hamilton, who strongly denies any claims against him, was faced with the allegation when Ms Flament wrote a newly published book called The Consolation.
She didn’t name the photographer but his portrait of her as a schoolgirl is on the front cover and she has since confirmed that she believes him to be a rapist.
She told France 2 TV station: “When I chose with my publisher to put this photo on the cover, I knew that it would prompt other testimonies.
“And I can tell you that I wasn’t the only one to have gone through this abuse, this rape by this photographer.
“I knew I couldn’t be the only one.
Mr Hamilton has since issued a statement saying he was "particularly outraged by the total absence of respect of the presumption of innocence".
The statement adds that Mr Hamilton will "make no further comment on criminal behaviour that certain people attribute to him and of which he is not the author".
In interviews with the latest edition of Nouvel Observateur magazine, two other alleged victims recount how a "smiling" Mr Hamilton attacked them when he was in his 50s.
As with Ms Flament, he is said to have isolated the 13 and 14 year old from their parents at Cap d’Agde, where Mr Hamilton owned a flat.
They said he stalked the beach every day "in search of models" while accompanied "by a very young slim blonde girl".
Mr Hamilton was well known because his posters, books and other work was sold all over the world, while films such as First Desires (1983) were watched by thousands.