DAVID Cassidy's ex-girlfriend has defended the late star against Sam Fox's claims he sexually assaulted her in a toilet.

Sherry Benedon, who is the mother of Cassidy's only child, has said following a woman into a bathroom and groping her was "just not David's style".

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The American Partridge Family star, who passed away aged 67 in November, was accused in glamour model Fox's autobiography of pushing his hand up her skirt and grabbing her breast before sticking his tongue down her throat in 1985.

But Sherry, 64, has called the accusations "poor taste" and hit out at Brit star Sam, who says David assaulted her when she was 19 after asking her to be in his music video.

Sherry said: "What this woman says happened was just not David’s style. David would never have followed a woman into a bathroom.

"He had too big an ego and he had some class about him in those years. I can’t even imagine any such thing."

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She went on: "It’s in very poor taste that this woman, who I’ve never even heard of, should make these claims after David has died and is therefore not able to defend himself.

"And also so soon after he died which makes what she claims so hurtful to all of us who cared about David, including his millions of fans around the world.”

Throughout the 70s and 80s Sherry dated David on and off romance after meeting him when auditioning for The Partridge Family.

She gave birth to David's only child, Katie, in 1986 - an actress who has gone on to star in Supernatural, Arrow, Taken and A Nightmare On Elm Street.

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Meanwhile Sam, whose book Forever is out next week, told the Daily Star Sunday of the alleged assault: “It shocked me. I was a huge fan and loved The Partridge Family.

“I had a big poster of David Cassidy on my wall and I used to kiss him every night before going to bed.

“When he grabbed me and pushed his tongue down my throat, I just kneed him in the b*****ks and would still do that today."

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Sam also claims that during the nude photo shoot for the Romance video she starred in, she could feel Cassidy's erect penis.

She added: "Whenever he pressed himself against me, I could clearly feel his d***...

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“David seemed to be deliberately drawing out the photoshoot, which took an eternity, and he had an erection the entire time – something he did absolutely nothing to hide.”

Cassidy died following an organ failure, needing a liver transplant and new kidneys, on November 18.

In a statement, Cassidy's representative said: “On behalf of the entire Cassidy family, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, our uncle, and our dear brother, David Cassidy.

“David died surrounded by those he loved, with joy in his heart and free from the pain that had gripped him for so long.

“Thank you for the abundance and support you have shown him these many years.”

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