A man formerly employed at Harrods is facing allegations of sexual assault against two women he met online. Andrew Dent, aged 54, is accused of assaulting a woman in her 30s at a hotel in West Berkshire and taking intimate photos without her consent in June 2024. Following his arrest that same month, Dent was granted bail by Thames Valley Police.
Subsequently, a second woman in her 50s reported being targeted at a location in Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, four months later in October 2024. Dent was arrested again and released on bail for a second time. He was later held in custody after his initial court appearance on February 24 and appeared through video link for a closed hearing at Reading Crown Court.
After a police spokesperson confirmed, Dent was granted bail with a security amount of £50,000, although the specific conditions were not disclosed. Dent’s professional background includes roles at Harrods and Times Newspapers Ltd, and he currently serves as the CEO and publisher of Family Traveller magazine, a renowned family travel media brand.
The charges against Dent include nine counts of rape, five counts of sexual assault by penetration, three counts of intentional strangulation, two counts of assault causing bodily harm, and one count of voyeurism. Thames Valley Police stated that the charges stem from incidents involving two women who met Dent on a dating platform. One victim, in her 30s from South Wales, reported being attacked and having intimate photos taken without consent, while the other victim, in her 50s from London, reported a similar experience in Henley-on-Thames.
Dent is scheduled for his next court appearance at Reading Crown Court later in the month. Family Traveller magazine, which Dent oversees, has expanded globally since its UK launch in 2013. The publication boasts a significant readership worldwide and has hosted events like the launch in the U.S. at the Diplomatic Beach Resort in Hollywood, FL in 2018.
In a previous interview, Dent shared advice on achieving success in business, emphasizing qualities like determination, hard work, networking, resilience, belief in one’s product, and staying innovative.