Media lawyers warn young women 'may remain at risk' if a celebrity wins his bid to gag sex abuse claims

A High Court dispute over allegations of serial sexual abuse by an unnamed celebrity, identified only as PPT, reached a pivotal moment on Wednesday when lawyers for the Guardian and ITN argued they were legally obliged to publish their findings. The two outlets' journalists spoke with more than 100 people linked to the celebrity, 30 of whom gave first-hand accounts of conduct described as 'inappropriate and exploitative' involving 'a large number' of girls and young women. Mr Justice Nicklin will now decide whether to grant a permanent injunction.

Barrister Gavin Millar KC told the court that the investigation indicated the celebrity 'abused his power to prey on young women for sexual purposes over an extended period'.

PPT's legal team contends that publication would be 'potentially fatal', pointing to two previous suicide attempts, months of hospitalisation and assessment by more than ten doctors.

Millar called the suicide-risk argument 'unprecedented', noting that a number of sources had gone through serious mental health crises and were 'extremely anxious' for the story to come out.