A British actress who was at school with the Duchess of Cambridge has told for the first time of her abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein.

Anouska de Georgiou, 42, became the first British woman to publicly allege she was abused by Epstein as she made a heartfelt speech in a court in New York.

She said: "When I was introduced to Jeffrey Epstein I was young and full of hope and the foolishness of a teenager. Jeffrey Epstein manipulated me, coerced me and abused me.

"He cannot begin to fathom what he did to us. Although I think it is tragic when anyone died before their time, I am extremely relieved he will not be able to hurt any more children."

Miss de Georgiou joined 22 other women to address the court on Tuesday in an emotional, passionate and at times furious retelling of their stories, as the case against the late financier was formally closed.