An Ivy League graduate who was accused of beating his comedian girlfriend had the worst of the charges dropped in exchange for agreeing to go to therapy.
Oliver Lane, 26, was accused of dragging Sienna Hubert-Ross, 25, around their Manhattan apartment, choking and slapping her before pinning her down and trying to suffocate her.
An initial complaint seen by DailyMail.com and filed in the New York Supreme Court alleged the ‘savage’ incident took place on August 8, 2024, and that Hubert-Ross was able to call her mom and a friend.
Lane, who attended the prestigious Eton during high school and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, is the son of a British banking bigwig who serves as a ‘non-executive chair’ at a firm linked to the $9billion estate of King Charles’ godson, Hugh Grosvenor.
Grosvenor is a close friend of Prince William and known as the Duke of Westminster – one of Britain’s wealthiest men.
Lane’s immigration status was reportedly of concern to prosecutors, who, according to the New York Post, acknowledged he could be deported if he were convicted of a serious crime.
While he was initially charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault, the felony charge was dropped in December after Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s office expressed concerns that there was not significant evidence to prove injuries to Hubert-Ross’s neck.
They also doubted they could prove she lost consciousness. This is despite an initial court hearing immediately after Lane’s arrest in which the DA allegedly told a judge the case against him was strong.
Instead, Lane was able to accept a plea deal for making ‘unreasonable noise’ in which he would be required to attend 16 therapy sessions and comply with a restraining order until December 2026.
Hubert-Ross told the publication ‘this is a travesty of justice.’
‘I felt betrayed and re-victimized for myself and others… an example of rich white privilege taking priority over clear accountability.’
Her lawyer Brett Gallaway has vowed to investigate what prompted the DA’s office to drop the charges.
‘We are surprised and concerned that when presented with such clear and overwhelming evidence… that the DA’s office would be so quick to plea Mr. Lane down to a violation that is effectively the equivalent of a traffic ticket,’ he said.
‘This is someone who allegedly beat his defenseless and frightened girlfriend to a pulp. He did not run a red light.’
According to the initial complaint, the up-and-coming actress and comedian was found ‘bruised, bloody and battered’ when police showed up to arrest Lane.