Thaindian News

London, May 16 (IANS) British actress Charlotte Lewis is adamant she will “never forgive” filmmaker Roman Polanski for allegedly abusing her when she was just 16 years old, insisting the incident ruined her life.
Lewis, who appeared in Polanski’s 1986 film “Pirates”, held a news conference Friday, claiming the director took advantage of her “in the worst way” at his apartment in France when she was just a teenager, reports imdb.com.

The alleged incident came several years after Polanski fled the US for France, skipping sentencing after pleading guilty to a charge of unlawful sex with 13-year-old Samantha Geimer in 1977.

Lewis, now 42, has alleged her encounter with Polanski in 1983 affected all her future relationships and ruined her Hollywood career as she sank into drug abuse.

“I know I should have gone to the relevant authorities at the time but I was scared and ashamed. I somehow thought it was my fault. He sexually abused me and manipulated me in the worst way. He has scarred me and the experience has definitely put a strain on my life,” she said.

“I was recently engaged to a lovely man, but I would often clam up physically and I don’t think I am very good in relationships. I will never forgive Polanski for what he has done to me. I’ll never know if my life would have been different if this had not happened. There needs to be some justice. I’m telling the truth and Roman Polanski knows I’m telling the truth,” she added.

Lewis said she met with Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney David Walgren to report her allegations.

Polanski’s lawyer Georges Kiejman has told a French news channel he is “absolutely astonished” by Lewis’ claims, and revealed that the director’s legal team is considering taking action over the allegations and added: “It is probable that we (will) take her to court”.

Another of Polanski’s attorneys, Herve Timime, said: “Everything that has been said is a web of lies.”