GLASGOW, Scotland — William Coull, the organiser behind the controversial Willy’s Chocolate Experience in Glasgow, appeared in court Monday, November 25, 2024, on charges of rape and sexual assault.
The 36-year-old, from Knightswood, made no plea during a private hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
The allegations stem from separate incidents.
Mr Coull, who gained notoriety earlier this year for his ill-fated Wonka-themed event, was granted bail by Sheriff Gerard Bonnar and committed for further examination.
No date has been set for his next court appearance.
Coull garnered international attention in February when his £35-a-ticket “Willy’s Chocolate Experience” went viral on social media for all the wrong reasons.
Promised as a fantastical, Roald Dahl-inspired adventure with sweet-themed worlds, attendees were instead met with what was described as an “abandoned and empty warehouse” filled with lacklustre props and actors reading from an AI-generated script.
Parents accused Coull of “scamming children” after their expectations were dashed. One attendee called it “the most disappointing event we’ve ever been to.”
The backlash prompted Coull to issue a public apology and pledge refunds for all ticket holders.
The event was run under Coull’s company, House of Illuminati, which also faced significant reputational damage following the debacle.
Details surrounding the current allegations remain sparse, as the case progresses under Scotland’s judicial system.
Given his high-profile notoriety earlier this year, the allegations against Coull have added a dark turn to what was initially a comedic viral moment.
As the legal process unfolds, attention now shifts to the serious accusations and their implications for the accused.
