24 March 2023 , 22:34
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Gwyneth Paltrow thought her alleged ski collision was a sexual assault as she claims she heard a "strange grunting" noise, a court heard.
The actress, 50, has testified in the case against Terry Sanderson, who claims the star left him with permanent brain injury following a ski incident in 2016.
Mr Sanderson is seeking damages of $300,000 (£246,000) for "a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries" in the civil lawsuit.
Ms Paltrow, who is seeking legal fees and damages of $1 (82p), gave evidence on the fourth day of the expected eight-day trial.
The actress claims retired optometrist Mr Sanderson, 76, came up from behind and his skis went in between her legs, with his body pressing into her back.
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Gwyneth Paltrow testifies in court case (Sky News)Sanderson's lawyer asked: "Did you know if it was an intentional assault of a sexual nature? Was he grinding or thrusting? What made you think it was a sexual assault?"
She answered: "It was a quick thought that went through my head. There was a strange grunting noise and a body behind me so I was trying to make sense of what was going on. My mind was going very quickly."
Ms Paltrow reiterated multiple times that she had been skied into from behind by Mr Sanderson.
The actress says she thought it was a sexual assault (Sky News)“My daughter was down the hill, my son was to my left, so I was skiing and my eyes were not fixated on my son when Mr Sanderson skied directly into my back,” she said.
“I was confused at first and I didn’t know exactly what was happening.
“It’s a very strange thing to happen on a ski slope. I froze and I would say I got very upset a couple of seconds later.”
Terry Sanderson is suing actor Gwyneth Paltrow over a 2016 ski collision (AP)She added: “(I thought) Is this a practical joke? Is someone doing something perverted?…my mind was going very quickly and trying to ascertain what was happening.”
According to Ms Paltrow’s deposition, the pair had come “crashing down together” and their bodies were “almost spooning”.
"Two skis came between my skis, forcing my legs apart. And there was a body pressing against me and a very strange grunting noise. My brain was trying to make sense of what was happening," she said of the collision.
Her testimony could last longer than an hour and is expected to mirror what she said in a previous deposition about how she "froze" when the crash happened.
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The trial continues.