CONTENT WARNING: The following article discusses sexual battery and physical and emotional abuse
Shia LaBeouf has denied the abuse allegations from FKA Twigs and is claiming self defence saying his behaviour was, “reasonably necessary for his self-defence and/or safety.”
It comes after FKA Twigs accused the actor of sexual battery, assault, infliction of emotional distress, and of knowingly transmitting an STI to her in December last year.
At the time, FKA Twigs described Shia LaBeouf’s behaviour as relentless abuse. Another ex-girlfriend of LaBeouf’s came forward with allegations at the time as well.
Karolyn Pho told of similar experiences to FKA Twigs, including “being violently head butted by a drunken LaBeouf until she bled.”
He filed the response in a Los Angeles court on Friday, 5th February. Here, he also denied that the artist “sustained any injury or loss by reason of any act or omission” because of him.
His lawyers instead are claiming that FKA Twigs’ “own conduct” and/or that from an “intervening third party” was the “superseding cause of the alleged injuries” she was inflicted with.
FKA Twigs’ lawyer, Bryan Freedman has called his defence “poorly misguided” and akin to “gaslighting.”
“Upon being confronted with Ms. Barnett’s lawsuit, Mr. LaBeouf admitted his reprehensible conduct and then checked himself into some type of inpatient treatment,” Freedman said in a statement.
“To the extent his 5 week treatment has been focused on denials and gaslighting, he may want to revisit the type of help he is receiving. Mr. LaBeouf’s legal tact and recovery plan, while not surprising, are poorly misguided self help strategies.”
