Gwyneth Paltrow tells court she thought collision on ski slope was sexual assault | American News

Gwyneth Paltrow has insisted she was the ‘victim’ of a skiing collision with a retired optometrist during an accident at a Utah resort.

The Oscar-winning actress was speaking while giving evidence in a civil case brought by Terry Sanderson, who is suing the actress for $300,000 (£245,000) over the 2016 Deer Valley incident.

Mr Sanderson, 76, says he was left with several broken ribs and a severe concussion, as well as mental and physical injuries after Paltrow “slammed” him on the slopes.

But Paltrow50, counter-suits the token figure of $1, claiming Mr Sanderson collided with her.

Speaking in court on Friday, Paltrow said she initially thought she had been sexually assaulted during the collision, saying she felt “a body pressing against me” and that she felt heard “a strange growl”.

She admitted to feeling “very upset” by the incident and shouted, “You skied right into my fucking back!” at Mr. Sanderson’s.

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Paltrow testified on the fourth day of the trial, having attended court every day since Tuesday.

Describing herself as an “intermediate” skier who was “familiar” with the rules of skiing, Paltrow denied engaging in “risky behavior” on the slopes and repeatedly said she was skimmed from behind by Mr. Sanderson.

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“I was confused at first and didn’t know exactly what was going on,” she said.

“It’s a very strange thing to happen on a ski slope. I froze and I would say I was very upset a few seconds later.”

She added, “(I was thinking) is this a joke? Is someone doing something evil? …my mind was racing really fast and I was trying to figure out what was going on.”

Mr. Sanderson’s attorney, Ms. Van Orman, tried to get Paltrow to re-enact the sequence of events in the courtroom, but had to settle for recreating the events herself.

Paltrow said: “I was skiing and two skis came between my skis forcing my legs apart.

“And then there was a body pressing against me.”

“Was it grinding or pushing?” Ms. Van Orman asked. “What made you think it was sexual assault?” »

Paltrow replied, “That was a quick thought that went through my head.

“There was a weird growl and a body behind me so I was trying to figure out what was going on.

“The thing to remember is that when you’re in an accident, your psychology doesn’t necessarily think about the person who did it.

“Mr. Sanderson hit me and it’s categorically the truth.”

Later, when cross-examined by her lawyer Stephen Owens, Paltrow said she felt “very sorry” for Mr Sanderson.

“I’m really sorry for him,” she said.

“It looks like he had a very difficult life but I didn’t cause the accident so I can’t be responsible for what happened to him afterwards.”

Mr. Sanderson will testify next week.