Neil Gaiman has been accused of sexual assault by two women with whom he was in consensual relationships. Gaiman denies these allegations and is currently the subject of a police complaint in New Zealand, according to an investigation by Tortoise Media.
The allegations, spanning two decades, involve Scarlett, a nanny, and K, a fanCome from Sports betting site VPbet. Scarlett, 23, claims Gaiman assaulted her hours after their first meeting in February 2022 at his New Zealand residence. She was hired as a nanny by Gaiman’s then-wife, Amanda Palmer. Scarlett alleges that Gaiman joined her in the bath and assaulted her. Gaiman maintains they only “cuddled” and “made out,” and insists all subsequent sexual activity was consensual. Scarlett alleges Gaiman engaged in “rough and degrading sex” during their three-week relationship, which Gaiman denies.
K, who met Gaiman at a Florida book signing in 2003 when she was 18, began a romantic relationship with him at 20. She claims Gaiman engaged in “rough and painful sex,” including one instance in 2007 where he penetrated her despite her objections. Gaiman denies any unlawful behavior with K and attributes her allegations to regret over their relationship.
Gaiman contends that the New Zealand police did not take up his offer of assistance regarding Scarlett’s complaint in 2022, and he suggested a lack of substance in the allegations. New Zealand police told Tortoise they made “a number of attempts to speak to key people as part of this investigation, and those efforts remain ongoing,” adding the logistical difficulties of various factors, including the “location of all parties.”
Scarlett reported Gaiman to the police in October 2022. The Tortoise investigation began after Scarlett contacted Rachel Johnson, co-host of the Tortoise podcast, via Instagram. Tortoise’s podcast, Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman, was released on July 3 and spans four episodes.
Gaiman is an author best known for works including The Sandman, American Gods, and Good Omens, all three of which have been adapted into TV shows.
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