Glasgow DJ Inez shares account of alleged sexual assault by Lobster Theremin founder Jimmy Asquith

Content warning: This article contains information relating to sexual assault.

Glasgow-based DJ Inez has shared an account detailing her alleged experience of sexual assault and grooming by DJ, producer and Lobster Theremin label founder Jimmy Asquith. You can read her statement in full below. 

Asquith has denied these reports. In a statement shared via social media last night (2nd October), he wrote that he is “strongly refuting the allegations of sexual assault that have been made against me this weekend”. You can read his full statement below. 

In her account, which was shared via Instagram stories on Friday (30th September) and Saturday (1st October) via Twitter, Inez, aka Shona, who previously worked for Lobster Theremin on a freelance basis, stated that the alleged incident occurred after meeting Asquith for drinks shortly after she moved to London. Inez said that Asquith began to “act extremely inappropriately” and “coerced me into going back to his flat despite me repeatedly saying no”.

Inez wrote that she agreed to go back to Asquith’s home due to feeling “pressured” and that she “feared of being stranded alone in a new city and ubers were failing to show”.

“Immediately after we got to his I was sexually assaulted,” Inez wrote. “I was grabbed, and asked forcefully to perform sexual acts whilst he exposed and touched himself. Not once was my consent made, and I did not know how to react except freeze up from fear.”

Inez went on to state that this was “not an isolated incident” and that Asquith’s “inappropriate and controlling behaviours continued through messages and in person in the weeks that followed”. These behaviours allegedly included Asquith “controlling how I ran my own Instagram page, invalidation of my feelings and manipulation tactics.”

Inez wrote that she has since left the Lobster Theremin label and moved back to Glasgow, “as dealing with the situation alone in London has proven to be too difficult.”

Asquith and Inez are said to have become friends last year after being placed on the same club line-up. Inez wrote that Asquith convinced her to move to London for her music career. “I put a lot of trust in him,” she wrote, “as he was over a decade my senior and had a lot of experience in the industry”. Inez noted that there were numerous “red flags at the beginning of our friendship”, including allegedly “sending me money” and “buying me things”.

Inez wrote that she confronted Asquith to address the incident of alleged sexual assault, to which he allegedly admitted “but responded in a very roundabout way”.

“It really hurts to admit but the truth is that I was groomed as a young professional in the industry,” Inez wrote. “And I fear for others that may end up in the same position as me”.

Inez wrote that she has been “deeply saddened” by these circumstances, that she is “not the person I used to be”, and that she is struggling to continue working in the dance music industry due to anxiety.

In his statement, Asquith wrote: “There has never been any non-consensual contact between myself and Shona, and additionally I completely refute the allegations of grooming”. He wrote that “the allegations of grooming are a constructed and distorted narrative of what was in reality a very different situation.”

Referring to the night of the alleged incident of sexual assault, Asquith wrote that he and Inez were “intoxicated on alcohol” and engaged in “some mild flirting, rude chat and occasional friendly contact” but nothing more. He wrote that, when he and Inez returned to his home, he “checked up on my cat and then went to bed with nothing further occurring.” 

Asquith later stated that he believes it was a “naive decision to become personally and professionally linked with someone who I see was clearly feeling quite vulnerable.”

Jimmy Asquith founded the prolific electronic music label Lobster Theremin in 2013, and the associated distribution service Lobster Distribution in 2014. The brand has also birthed numerous sub-labels including Higher Power, 1Ø PILLS MATE, Breaks 'N' Pieces, Cheeky Music Group and others. Asquith also runs the popular meme account, Catsquith. 

Inez is co-founder of power pot, a recently launched “label and creative collective for LGBTQIA+ artists and womxn in the harder dance music scene”.

Since Inez has shared her account online, numerous artists who have released music through Lobster Theremin have distanced themselves from the label and from Asquith, including Coco Bryce, Denham Audio, Carlton Doom, Pépe, Boxia, Mr. Mitch, DJ Seinfeld and Black Girl/White Girl.

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this article, the following organisations may be able to provide help and advice:

In the UK 

Victim Support

Provides help and information for anyone who has been affected by a crime, including a violent or sexual assault, or is wary about involving the police.

Helpline: 0845 30 30 900 (Seven days a week)

Website: www.victimsupport.org

The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre

Support and information for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused, however long ago and whatever the circumstances.

Helpline: 0845 1221 331 (Seven days a week)

Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk

AFEM Sexual Harassment helpline

The AFEM Sexual Harassment helpline was launched in December 2017 in response to the #metoo movement and a growing number of reports of sexual harassment in all sectors of the entertainment industry. Stepping forward as a victim of abuse or harassment takes immense courage, this service was set-up to support all who need help and guidance via a confidential helpline.

Website

Call 0800 030 5182 (Outside the UK: +44 800 030 5182)

In North America

RAINN

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization

The National Sexual Assault Hotline (24 hours, seven days a week):800.656.HOPE (4673), online.rainn.org, rainn.org/es

Website: https://www.rainn.org/

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is the leading nonprofit in providing information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. 

Directory of organizations: https://www.nsvrc.org/organizations

Website: https://www.nsvrc.org/