Fashion Designer Assaulted By Ex During "Childish" Doorstep Toaster Dispute

Katya Wildman

A fashion designer to the stars, whose signature dress was made famous by Nigella Lawson, was assaulted by her ex partner during a "childish" tug-of-war over a disputed toaster outside their one-time family home.

Katya Wildman, 39, creator of celebrity-favourite frock 'Bombshell' turned up at the £950,000 four-bedroom North Finchley property, occupied by her ex Stephan Law, 42, to collect a Christmas Tree on December 8, last year.

Television costume designer Katya, who also counts model Jerry Hall and actress Anjelica Houston amongst fans of her designs, began her relationship with Law in December, 2009, but they split two years ago.

He helped promote her business, which received additional publicity when Nigella bought twelve 'Bombshell' dresses - six in black linen and six in denim.

"She had a set of keys because she was still the co-owner of the house she had moved out of a year before," prosecutor Mr. Ranesh Patel told Brent Magistrates Court yesterday. "She let herself in to collect the tree for their three year-old daughter.

"She also took the toaster that she paid for and Mr. Law grabbed hold of it, resulting in both of them grappling over the toaster, which he took off her and she then threw his house keys into the next-door neighbour's garden.

"He retrieved his keys and rushed back to his front door, where he barged past her and with both his hands pushed her on her shoulders, she says a hard push, causing her to fall onto the concrete path.

"She thought she was going to bang her head on the concrete and the neighbour, who witnessed the commotion, agrees it was a hard push and he was also surprised she did not bang her head."

Law, former Head of Administration at 'Bombshell by Katya Wildman', pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex in Cissbury Ring South and was conditionally discharged for two years, ordered to pay £350 costs and £75 compensation to Ms Wildman, plus a £15 victim surcharge.

Stephan Chan

A three-year restraining order was also made prohibiting Law going to his ex's appointment-only showroom in Balfour House, High Road, Finchley and her home in Queens Avenue, Muswell Hill.

In her statement she claimed the defendant had been verbally abusive during the relationship. "He would call me fat and humiliate me when we were out in public.

"If we were at a restaurant he would make the waiter get more food. I started eating in private.

"When I had a rash on my leg and bum he said it was disgusting and spat on me."

Law's lawyer Mr. Martin Lewis said there was no history of violence or abuse in the relationship. "She herself describes it as a tumultuous relationship and says the defendant suffered OCD and it was just too much.

"On this occasion, not unusually, they had words. The toaster had been there for more than a year and she decided at that point she wanted it back and they both acted childishly and there began a tug-of-war over the toaster.

"You can imagine the sight of two grown people tussling on the doorstep over a toaster and Mr. Law feared he was going to be locked out and so there is a race to the front door and he pushes her.

Cissbury Ring South: Former Family Home

"She acted foolishly by trying to grab the toaster. She bought it, but it had been there a year. He no longer loves the complainant and I'm sure she no longer loves him."

Law's fashion entrepreneur sister will finance the buy-out of Katya's half-share in the house. "I am aware she could do with the money," added Mr. Lewis. 

"They are both stupid and childish people in this case. It is a public row on the street in suburban North Finchley and during the course of it she kicked the defendant and says it was in self-defence.

"For people of this status and education it should not have happened."