Alleged assaults on 14 year old took place in Putney in the seventies

79 year old Benjamin John Herman, of Hook, Hampshire appeared today, 4 August, on bail at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court, charged with three counts of indecent assault on a female under the age of fourteen, and one count of attempted indecent assault of a girl under the age of fourteen. The charges relate to allegations of historical sexual assault which occurred between 1972-1974 at a location in Putney.

Herman was Prince Philip’s equerry at the time of the alleged assaults. His role would be to shadow Prince Philip at the Palace and on public and private engagements. In 1974 he became head of Princess Anne’s household at the time of her marriage to Capt. Mark Phillips. In 1976 he returned to the marines.

Herman was further bailed to appear at Kingston Crown Court on 18 August for a Plea and Case Management hearing.

Herman was charged with the above offences at a South West London Police station on 17 July following his arrest on 28 February 2014.

August 8, 2014