Andrew Tate faces 2027 civil trial in 'first case of its kind'

Andrew Tate faces a civil trial in 2027 over allegations he subjected four women to physical or sexual abuse in the first case of its kind, a court has heard.

At a High Court hearing in central London on Tuesday, Judge Richard Armstrong said the claimants were "seeking damages likely to reach six figures". Two of the women were in an intimate relationship with the controversial influencer, while the other two worked for his online webcam business at the time of the allegations between 2013 and 2015.

One claims the former professional kickboxer, 38, grabbed her by the throat, assaulted her with a belt and pointed a gun at her face as he said: "You're going to do as I say or there'll be hell to pay". The court heard that a trial of the claims could be held in early 2027 and could last three weeks.

Tate denies the allegations, with his lawyers saying in his written defence that the claims are false and that all sexual activity was consensual. His lawyer, Vanessa Marshall KC, who was not required to, and did not, attend the hearing, said Tate intends to give evidence in his defence at trial and will call around 11 witnesses.

The women's lawyer Anne Studd KC said it would be "the first occasion" coercive control has been brought before the High Court in a civil trial to decide whether it amounts to an intentional infliction of harm under English law. In written submissions, she described coercive control as "a form of grooming and manipulation where the victim becomes less and less able to respond in what might be perceived as a normal way".

Three of four women, who have made allegations including rape and sexual assault, were the subject of an investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary, which was closed in 2019. Tate has previously described the allegations as "unproven and untested.