Western Reader
British actor Joseph Gatt, best known for his role in the popular HBO series “Game of Thrones,” appeared in court in Los Angeles on charges related to child sex offenses.
The 51-year-old actor, accompanied by his long-time girlfriend, actress and writer Mercy Malick, arrived at the court on Monday, 18 months after his arrest.
Gatt, recognized for his shiny bald head, was seen wearing a black shirt and brown pants. The hearing was presided over by Judge Enrique Monguia of the LA Superior Court. The case is set to continue on December 4th, as prosecutor Michael Fern stated that ‘additional discovery is needed’ for the case to proceed.
EXCLUSIVE: #GameOfThrones star #JosephGatt appears in court on child sex-offense charge with girlfriend Mercy Malick more than a year after his arrest https://t.co/JhXum2E6qc
— ĿЄßĪИÐЄR™ (@LeBinderxo) October 2, 2023
The charges against Gatt stem from an incident that occurred 18 months ago, leading to his arrest and subsequent search of his home by the Juvenile Division, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
Gatt faces two charges – ‘contact with a minor for sexual offense’ and felony possession of an assault weapon.
Despite the severity of the charges, Gatt has maintained his innocence. He pleaded not guilty to both charges during subsequent court appearances.
While he was granted $5,000 bail, he was also subjected to certain restrictions, including a ban on unsupervised time with minors, possessing pornography, and using social media unless it’s for work purposes.
Gatt, who has lived in the US for 18 years, took to Twitter a week after his arrest to vehemently deny the charges. In a statement, he referred to the allegations as ‘absolutely horrifying and completely untrue,’ and ‘100% categorically wrong and reckless.’
He also pointed out errors and misleading information in the press release about his case.
EXCLUSIVE: Game of Thrones star Joseph Gatt appears in court on child sex-offense charge with girlfriend Mercy Malick more than a year after his arrest https://t.co/vqRgdHIW2h pic.twitter.com/ClAfiMUiUK
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) October 2, 2023
Gatt’s girlfriend, Mercy Malick, also came to his defense. She lashed out on social media at the allegations, calling them ‘beyond insane.’ She expressed gratitude for the support they have received and reiterated those who know them understand the absurdity of the charges.
Gatt’s acting career spans over two decades, with one of his most high-profile roles being Thenn Warg in “Game of Thrones.”
He also starred in several blockbuster movies including the live-action Disney remake Dumbo, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Thor. Gatt began his acting career with an appearance on the British police drama The Bill in 1999.
This case serves as a stark reminder that even those in the limelight are not immune to the law’s reach. As the legal proceedings continue, fans and supporters of Gatt await the outcome, hoping for justice to be served.
This article appeared in TheDailyBeat and has been published here with permission.
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