Author Neil Gaiman is accused in British podcast of sexually abusing a fan and former nanny

WELLINGTON, July 4 – Two women have come forward accusing author Neil Gaiman of sexual assault.

British news channel Tortoise Media published the allegations and recorded a four-part podcast series about the alleged incidents.

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The first woman, identified as “Scarlett” (23), claims that Gaiman sexually assaulted her in a bathtub at his New Zealand residence in February 2022 within hours of meeting her.

She was his son’s nanny at the time. Tortoise reports that Gaiman claims they “made out” and “cuddled” in the bathtub and that consent was given.

He also said that the interactions during the three-week alleged sexual relationship were entirely consensual.

The second woman was an 18-year-old fan, called “K,” who Gaiman met at a book signing in Sarasota, Florida in 2003.

Two years later, when she turned 20, they began a romantic relationship in which, she claimed, she endured painful and rough intercourse “that she neither wanted nor enjoyed.”

Gaiman said (according to Tortoise Media) that he was troubled by K’s allegations and denied any unlawful conduct. He suggested that K’s allegations were motivated by regret over their relationship and that Scarlett may be suffering from false memories of their time together.

At the time of writing, New Zealand Police had received a complaint about Gaiman and had made “several attempts to speak to key individuals” and “those efforts are ongoing.”

The 63-year-old Gaiman is a popular book and graphic novel author whose works The Sandman, A good omen (co-written with the late Terry Pratchett) and American Gods were also made into critically acclaimed television series.