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Folkestone prankster Sam Pepper sends Twitter and YouTube in frenzy over Fake Hand Ass Pinch Prank videos

12:00, 25 September 2014

updated: 12:02, 25 September 2014

A YouTube star from Kent has sent social media into a frenzy amid accusations he sexually assaulted women in one of his latest videos.

Sam Pepper, who is from Folkestone, uploaded two videos of the Fake Hand Ass Pinch Prank in which he is seen appearing to randomly grab women's bottoms in the first and then women grabbing a men.

But the 25-year-old video prankster, who has over two million subscribers to his YouTube channel, has released a third video explaining that the other videos were a "social experiment" featuring actors.

A still from the offending video showing Pepper groping women in the street. He says it was part of a "social experiment"
A still from the offending video showing Pepper groping women in the street. He says it was part of a "social experiment"

The former Pent Valley pupil, who appeared on Big Brother in 2010, has made a living off being an internet prankster.

The videos posted over the weekend prompted a furious backlash from fellow YouTubers and on Twitter this week with hundreds describing the acts as "sexual harassment".

One user called Leah R said: "He has sexually harrassed in a couple of videos and because he doesn't have the guts to own up to or apologise for what he has done, he claims it was a 'social experiment'."

Another called Demi Sierra added: "SAM YOU HAVE SCREWED UP..."

Others took to Twitter to vent their anger.

But in his latest post titled "Part 3 The Reveal", Pepper explains that the videos were "staged" and "scripted".

He added: "It goes without saying you can't go around touching people's bums without asking.

"Everyone who helped in this video was informed about what I was doing and what I was trying to achieve before I made it.

Folkestone YouTube star Sam Pepper issues an apology over the offence caused
Folkestone YouTube star Sam Pepper issues an apology over the offence caused

"I want to address some of the horrified reactions. The majority of viewers were disgusted by such displays of open sexual harassment.

"That's how it should be. We should be offended by such acts."

Explaining why he posted the videos in the first place, he said: "I don't just post pranks. I post videos that change your opinions on something and draw your attention to something not normally seen."

He then goes on to talk about a male friend who he claims was beaten and kept in a marriage through fear to a woman he no longer loved.

"After hearing the story of my friend I wanted to highlight the differences between abuse to a woman and a man by doing social experiment with you as the unwitting participants at the heart of the experiment.

"I choose to use sexual harassment as the focal point. That way I could pass it off as a prank and watch you guys go crazy in the comments. I'm so glad you did.

"At no way was this video downgrading the rights of a woman to only boost those of a man.

"I just wanted to show in many cases people would be outraged at an act aimed towards a woman but laugh it away when it's a man.

"I wanted to shine a light towards an otherwise dark corner... abuse on men.

"In the video with the men the reaction wasn't as intense."

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