PHILIP WALTHAM AND SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN HULL
The owner of The Vintage Store clothing chain has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a young woman in Hull, after engaging in inappropriate and intimate conduct that included kissing her on the lips and making suggestive comments.The conviction follows a trial at Hull Crown Court, where the jury deliberated on the evidence presented against Philip Waltham, aged 46, of Ella Street, Hull.
Waltham, who previously gained local and national attention for his remarkable personal journey from homelessness to successful businessman, was accused of multiple sexual assault offences.
Last year, he denied three counts of sexual assault, but the jury ultimately convicted him after considering the evidence.
He also faced an allegation of intimidating another woman, who was a witness in the case, but was acquitted of that charge.
According to the court proceedings, the complainant described an incident where Waltham kissed her on the lips in a manner described as 'full on.' The prosecution argued that this act was 'sexually motivated,' a claim Waltham denied.
The woman further testified that Waltham grabbed her jacket and pulled her back towards him, then placed his hand on her waist beneath her jacket.
She claimed that he touched her hips and made the comment, 'This is what you want,' before allegedly moving his hand towards her bottom.
The woman also recounted that Waltham took her hand and placed it on his private parts when he appeared to be aroused.
She emphasized that she had no romantic or sexual interest in him.
Recorder Simon Jackson KC noted that the woman’s account was consistent with the prosecution’s case, which painted a picture of unwelcome and inappropriate advances.
In addition to the assault allegations, the prosecution presented evidence suggesting that Waltham made indirect threats to another woman, who was a witness in the case.
It was claimed that Waltham asked her, 'Do you think I did it?' during an investigation into the sexual assaults.
Waltham maintained that he was not attempting to influence her and acknowledged speaking to her during police interviews but denied discussing the case or making threats.
During his defence, Waltham described himself as a businessman involved in the fashion industry.
He stated that he owned The Vintage Store, which was originally based in Hull but had expanded to other cities including Sheffield, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
He also mentioned a large warehouse located at the former Topshop premises in the St Stephen's shopping centre in Hull.
Waltham insisted that the allegations made against him were false and characterized them as 'lies.' He claimed there had been no physical contact between himself and the complainant.
Following the jury’s verdict, sentencing was adjourned to allow for reports, and Waltham was granted bail until the next hearing.
An updated victim impact statement will be requested, and although he was not ordered to register as a sex offender at this stage, he will be required to do so at the subsequent hearing.
Reflecting on his past, Waltham previously shared in an interview with Hull Live in January last year that he had spent three years selling the Big Issue after fleeing his Hull home as a teenager to escape drug addiction.
He explained that selling the magazine helped him survive financially and taught him valuable lessons about self-respect, budgeting, and the importance of having a roof over his head.
He recounted that his experience as a Big Issue vendor in Clerkenwell and Hampstead, London, eventually led him to open a market stall in Camden.
Waltham’s business, Bulk Vintage Wholesale, focuses on sustainable fashion, fighting against fast fashion by rescuing clothing from landfills and repurposing them.
Last year, he claimed his company saved approximately 600 tonnes of clothing, which was then sold on.
His enterprise was reported to generate an annual turnover exceeding £9 million, highlighting his significant success in the fashion industry.
