NEVER, NEVER HAVE ABUSED A WOMAN

Depardieu denial as 14 women accuse actor of sexual assault

FRENCH actor Gerard Depardieu has written an open letter to deny accusations of rape and sexual assault.

In the letter, published by Le Figaro, Depardieu, 74, said: "Never, never have I abused a woman.

Hurting a woman would be like kicking my own mother's tummy." His decision to make the public statement follows at least 13 women joining alleged rape victim Charlotte Arnould, 33, in accusing the actor of criminal behaviour.