A male artist has denied allegations that he harassed and blackmailed Little Britain star Matt Lucas, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
German-born Aljoscha Quooss, 35, who lives in London, was arrested on suspicion of blackmail, harassment and malicious communications at the end of June after Matt Lucas, 51, made a report to the Metropolitan Police. He was released on bail and is under investigation.
This newspaper can also reveal that the arrest came just three weeks after Mr Lucas failed to get a gag order against Mr Quooss at an emergency High Court hearing.
Mr Lucas, represented by a KC, was seeking an interim injunction against Mr Quooss, who represented himself, but the judge dismissed his application.
Last night illustrator and model Mr Quooss said: ‘This has completely turned my life upside down. I did not do what I have been accused of by Matt Lucas, I have never harassed him or tried to blackmail him.
‘He tried to silence me at a High Court hearing but failed, despite the fact that I had to represent myself against a powerful law firm.
‘But then three weeks later I was arrested, held in a prison cell for 20 hours and had my phone and iPad taken in evidence by police, which has been extremely distressing.’
German-born Aljoscha Quooss (pictured), 35, who lives in London, was arrested on suspicion of blackmail, harassment and malicious communications at the end of June after Matt Lucas, 51, made a report to the Metropolitan Police. He was released on bail and is under investigation
This newspaper can also reveal that the arrest came just three weeks after Mr Lucas (pictured) failed to get a gag order against Mr Quooss at an emergency High Court hearing
Matt Lucas recently came under fire after posting photos of Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown, 21, on social media in which he compared her to one of his Little Britain characters.
He later apologised and said he was ‘mortified’ for writing ‘no but yeah but’ – a catchphrase from Vicky Pollard – alongside images of the actress wearing a pink jacket and a blonde updo.
The comedian reported allegations to Scotland Yard about Mr Quoos on June 26 after he failed to get an injunction against the artist at an emergency hearing in the afternoon of Sunday, June 8, heard by Mr Justice Johnson.
Mr Quooss is not allowed to contact Mr Lucas or go near his address as part of his bail conditions. He works as an illustrator and barista but says that the current police investigation has made his work ‘impossible’.
He said: ‘It’s cut me off from my support network, I have been logged out of all of my accounts, including email and online banking, and have been left to fend for myself.
The comedian (pictured October 2024) reported allegations to Scotland Yard about Mr Quoos on June 26 after he failed to get an injunction against the artist at an emergency hearing in the afternoon of Sunday, June 8, heard by Mr Justice Johnson
‘Because my iPad was taken, I am also unable to continue my work as a digital artist. I had just set up my website at the beginning of the year and even invested money in an online course, because I was dreaming of becoming a freelance illustrator.’
Matt Lucas declined repeated requests to comment by the MoS.
A Met Police spokesman said: ‘On Friday, June 27, a 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of harassment, blackmail and malicious communications. He was taken into custody and later bailed to return pending further enquiries. He is next due on a date in mid-September.
‘The arrest follows allegations reported to police on June 26. The investigation is ongoing.’