Defence Attorney Claims Staff Colluded Against Indian Fusion Restaurant Owner at Trial

Strategic Insights -

The trial of Gunaseelan Manoharan, the owner of the now-defunct Indian fusion restaurant Rooh in Horsham, has reached its final stages. Manoharan is accused of sexually assaulting two teenage girls and one adult woman, all of whom were staff members at Rooh. The defence attorney, Rohan Barton, has presented a narrative that the alleged victims "colluded" and "made up" the allegations against Manoharan. Barton argued that the teenagers had a motive to lie due to delayed payment and a negative experience, while the adult victim is making up the allegations. However, the prosecution countered that the defence's arguments are unsubstantiated and that the alleged victims' testimonies were genuine.

Key Takeaways:

  • The defence attorney, Rohan Barton, claims that the alleged victims colluded against Manoharan and made up the allegations due to a negative employment experience and delayed payment.
  • Barton suggested that one of the teenage victims, 16 at the time, had a motive to lie because her pay was delayed, and the other teenager, 15 at the time, was motivated by a similar experience.
  • The prosecution, Paul A D'Arcy, implored the jury to focus on the allegations of sexual assault, stating that the defence's arguments are baseless and that the alleged victims' testimonies were genuine.
  • Manoharan admitted to touching a teenage waitress's legs and bottom at a different restaurant, but denied the allegations of sexual assault at Rooh.
  • The jury heard that Manoharan would touch his teenage staff under the guise of cleaning their uniform, although this was not addressed in the defence's closing statement.
  • Manoharan is also charged with one count of false imprisonment after allegedly locking a 16-year-old outside in an enclosed courtyard for half an hour.
  • The prosecution presented a watching brief of the alleged victim's testimonies, rejecting the defence's implication that they were making up their accounts.

Statistics:

  • Manoharan is accused of sexually assaulting two teenage girls and one adult woman, all of whom were staff members at Rooh.
  • The defence suggested that the alleged victims were motivated to lie due to delayed payment and a negative employment experience.
  • The prosecution argued that the alleged victims' testimonies were genuine and that the defence's arguments were baseless.
  • Manoharan operated the fusion restaurant, Rooh, from September 2020 to 2022 in Horsham's town hall.

Sources:

  • Amy Roulston, unnamed news article.