Saturday 10 September 2011

Road-Rage Woman's Leg-Break Threat


A wealthy Porsche-driving businesswoman repeatedly kicked a chauffeur during a violent 'road rage' row while screaming: "I'm gonna break your fucking legs if you don't get out of my car."


The chauffeur suspected Maria Lemos, 40 - the director of a furniture design company - was drunk when her £55,000 4x4 Cayenne bumped into the rear of his E-class Mercedes.


Lemos, of Bryanston Court, George Street, Marble Arch - where an apartment is currently on sale for £2.5m - was convicted of assaulting Kenneth Oakley,50, in Chelsea Bridge Road on November 7, last year.


Mr. Oakley told City of London Magistrates' Court he approached the defendant after their vehicles made contact at traffic lights.


"I did smell what I believed to be alcohol coming from the car and the lady. Her eyes were glazed and her speech was slurred."


Lemos (pictured) got out of her Porsche and after dismissing Mr. Oakley's claims of contact tried to drive off.


"Then it all got a bit horrible," the chauffeur told the court. "I stood in front of her door to stop her and she pulled the door forcibly, slamming it into my arm.


"A lot of abusive language started to come out and I was also kicked twice. There was enough force to make me wince."


Meanwhile, the defendant, who had been planning to collect her children, was on the phone to her businessman husband George Lemos with a running commentary of the incident.


"Because of the pain I moved back," said Mr. Oakley. "She started driving and I got out of the way, not wanting to be run over."


Lemos was arrested at the family home that night and charged on January 10, maintaining her innocence throughout.


She told the court she feared being the victim of a potential car-jacking, describing Mr. Oakley as: "Angry, forceful and aggressive."


Denying she had been drinking Lemos said: "He was pissed off and I was scared and just had to get out of there. I was just trying to escape."


She admitted kicking out at the victim, but insisted it was in self defence.


"I heard these stories growing up. They try to get into your car."


Lemos was fined £600, with £300 costs and ordered to pay £100 compensation to Mr. Oakley. She will also pay a £15 victim surcharge.

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