Guest Arrested for Attempted Rape at Standard Hotel

Suspect Matthew Moorhouse, seen here with ex-girlfriend Rani Kamahl.

An Australian businessman was arrested at The Standard Hotel Saturday after allegedly trying to rape a chambermaid. The unidentified 28-year-old woman claims the assault occurred after she began cleaning Matthew Moorhouse's $400-a-night room at 4:25 p.m. "He just asked me, 'Where are you from? How long have you been here?'" Then Moorhouse, 42, allegedly asked her if she had a boyfriend. When she said no, "He asked me, 'Do you think I'm handsome?' He went to hug me. And then he pushed me onto the bed."

"I said, 'No!' And then he continued to kiss my face," the maid tells the Post. Fortunately, her screams were heard by another hotel worker, who banged on the door. "I screamed, 'OK, come in please!'" says the woman, who ran to hotel security. Police later arrested Moorhouse in his room; he's charged with attempted rape, sexual abuse and unlawful imprisonment, and remains locked up in lieu of $20,000 bail.

Moorhouse, who once dated pop star Rani Kamahl, has not yet spoken publicly about the incident, but his mother tells The Courier-Mail in Australia, "I'm very concerned—anyone would be. I knew he had been arrested but had no idea it was to do with anything like this. It would certainly surprise me, because that (behaviour) is not Matthew." Since opening in January, The Standard's guests have been known for their exhibitionism, but this is the first report of violence.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on November 11, 2009 1:37 PM

Comments [rss]

hunter.blatherer

See, this is why all sexuality is bad, anywhere.

Steven

Show her the money.

what_a_dick

dick!

NewHCE

I am not saying the guys is innocent or guilty, but I think it is wrong to print his name just with this accusation.

Guest

That only applies to the 'victim' in this great land of double standards.

Billiamsburg

for $400 a night you dont even get to have your way witht he help?! that is outrageous

evbo

I'll second that emotion.

hotstepper

what do you expect from a continent filled with criminals and glue sniffers?

Dirk

It's heart-warming to see that "He's a good kid and would never do that" transcends all borders.

valeriob

What a douche.

pudeljung

do you have a boyfriend?

ak

are you just quoting the alleged rapist or are you trying to suggest that having a boyfriend (or not) makes this guy less (or more) of a douche?

because, come on. his actions speak for him. and they're saying "I'm a douche."