Court Showdown for Former Actor Over Intimate Image Allegations
Laurence Fox and broadcaster Narinder Kaur have both arrived at Woolwich Crown Court for a significant hearing. Fox is attempting to have a charge under Section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 dismissed in what marks a pivotal moment in the high-profile case.
The Charges and The Alleged Offence
The former actor, known for his role in 'Lewis', faces two charges after an eleven-month police investigation into his activity on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The first count accuses him of sharing a "photograph or film of a person in an intimate state, intending to cause alarm, distress or humiliation". The second alleges he sent a "photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation."
Prosecutor David Burns clarified that the case "relates to a post on X, posted by Mr Fox on April 30, 2024". He stated that the post showed a picture of the complainant, Narinder Kaur, in an intimate state, revealing parts of her genitals.
Support and Statements Outside the Courtroom
Narinder Kaur, who found fame on Big Brother, was accompanied by her husband, Jatinder Punia, as she entered the court, where she will sit in the public gallery. In a powerful move, she has waived her legal right to anonymity.
Fox arrived at court with his partner, Elizabeth Barker. The actor was formally charged in March 2025 following the lengthy probe. The Metropolitan Police had previously stated the charge "relates to an image that was posted on a social media platform in April 2024".
In a previous statement to The Times, Kaur described the profound impact of the incident, saying, "It's like being assaulted every day, every time I tweet or go online… Every day I wake up and go to sleep horrified." She attributed the distress to Fox and his associates, saying they "decided I needed to be put in my place."
Legal Context and Fox's Defence
Section 66A of the Sexual Offences Act relates specifically to cyber flashing. This charge, introduced in 2023, makes it a criminal offence to intentionally share a sexual image of someone without their consent, with the aim of causing alarm, distress, humiliation, or for sexual gratification.
Fox had previously entered a not guilty plea to the sexual offence charges. Shortly after sharing the posts in question, he issued a statement saying he "would like to apologise" to Narinder Kaur, but then added, "It's not my fault" that she was pictured in a compromising position over 15 years ago.
Following the announcement of the criminal charges, Fox launched a vehement defence on social media, calling the British justice system "Soviet" and a "two-tier" system. He questioned the Met Police's allocation of resources, asking, "How much more time, effort and taxpayer money are the @metpoliceuk going to spend ignoring actual crimes in their efforts to silence ordinary British people?" He vowed to fight the charges, which he labelled "untrue, ridiculous, vexatious and malicious nonsense".
Today's hearing will specifically address Fox's abuse-of-process application and his attempt to have the Section 66A charge thrown out. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of the case and the application of this relatively new law.
