Pippa Middleton's father-in-law charged with rape of a minor

David and Jane Matthews arrive ahead of the wedding of Pippa Middleton's marriage to James Matthews. Photo / Getty

The multi-millionaire father-in-law of Pippa Middleton was in custody in Paris tonight accused of raping a child.

David Matthews, 73, is said to have carried out the attack between 1998 and 1999, while on holiday in France.

A relative is said to have reported him to the police, leading to Matthews reporting to judges in the French capital on Tuesday. Matthews denies the charges, reports Daily Mail.

Citing legal sources, French national news agency AFP said Matthews had now been charged with the "rape of a minor by a person with authority over his victim".

Matthews is the father of James Matthews, 41, who is married to Pippa, the 34-year-old sister of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, who is married to Prince William.

The rape case is being dealt with by the Juvenile Protection Brigade (BPM) of the Paris judicial police.

Matthews is a self-made multi-millionaire who grew up near Rotherham and started his professional career as garage mechanic.

He moved into motor sport, and married Anita Tayor, a fellow driver.The couple had a daughter called Nina together but divorced in 1969.

Pippa Middleton and her new husband James Matthews. Photo / Getty Images

Matthews was forced to retire in 1973 due to major injuries, and then focused on transforming a used-car enterprise into the Kirkby Central Group, which was later the subject of a £8.5 ($16.4M) million takeover.

He then met his second wife, Rhodesian-born artist Jane Parker, with whom he had three sons, James, Spencer, and Michael, who tragically died when he was just 22 on an expedition up Mount Everest.

After several successful years in business, Matthews retired afterthe recession and ventured into hotels, snapping up the Eden Rock in St Barts in 1995, which he moved into and totally revamped.

Despite their rags to riches story, the family's life has been marred by tragedy. Their son Michael was just 22 when he tragically died after reaching base camp of Mount Everest.

Eden Rock was left in ruins after being ravaged by Hurricane Irma last year.