Polanski victim urges end to case

Samantha Geimer wants the charges dismissed to put an end to the case

The victim at the centre of the statutory rape case involving film-maker Roman Polanski in 1977 has asked a US court to drop charges against him.

Samantha Geimer said the continued publication of details "causes harm to me, my husband and children".

She has also called the court's insistence that Polanski appear in person for the dismissal hearing on 21 January "a cruel joke".

Polanski has never returned to the US to face charges since fleeing in 1978.

While in exile in France, he won the best director Oscar in 2002 for holocaust drama The Pianist.

Feelings

Ms Geimer, 45, said in her written declaration to the court: "If Polanski cannot stand before the court to make this request, I, as the victim, can and I, as the victim, do."

"I have urged that this matter come to a formal legal end. I have urged that the district attorney and the court dismiss these charges," she added.

Last week, Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney David Walgren filed a motion describing the incident in graphic detail in court papers for the first time.

Polanski's screen credits include Tess and Rosemary's Baby

Ms Geimer has said she believes this is a ploy to deflect accusations of wrongdoing in the case made more than 30 years ago.

She added that her feelings should have been taken into account before the legal papers were submitted.

Polanski's bid to have the Los Angeles Superior Court disqualified from any hearings was rejected.

His lawyer lodged the bid in response to a television documentary about the case, which made allegations about the actions of the District Attorney's office at the time.

They have made no comment about the matter, saying the legal case in question is ongoing.

Polanski admitted unlawful sex with Samantha Geimer, who was 13 at the time, at the home of actor Jack Nicholson in 1977, but fled the US before he was sentenced.

The charges against him were never dropped, and the spectre of arrest if he returned to the US has hung over him ever since.