Millionaire Sir Harry Djanogly Accused Of Dragging Cop During Jag Hospital Dash

Millionaire philanthropist to the arts Sir Harry Djanogly CBE, appeared in court yesterday after a police officer, who stopped him for speeding in his powerful Jag, was pulled twenty-five metres along a dual carriageway, sustaining a knee injury.

The textile manufacturer, 76, who is estimated to have a personal fortune of £300m, gave no indication as to plea and was bailed by Hammersmith Magistrates Court to appear at Isleworth Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on July 7.  

He is charged with driving his five-litre silver Jaguar XK dangerously on The Westway A40, Hammersmith on December 27, last year and assaulting Police Sergeant Robert McDonald on the same occasion.

Sir Harry, who was knighted in 1993 for services to charity, claims his wife, Lady Carol Ann Djanogly, who was also in the vehicle, was suffering chest pains and had an urgent hospital appointment.

Prosecutor Mr. Guy Saul told the court it was 8pm when police officers in a marked vehicle estimated Sir Harry was driving at over 70mph in a 50mph zone and put on their lights in an attempt to make him stop.

He slowed sufficiently to allow PS McDonald to approach, the court was told, but then revved his engine and said: "I'm not stopping."

Mr. Saul added: "The vehicle moved forward, causing Police Sergeant McDonald to fall backwards and lose his balance, fearing injury if he fell under the wheels.

"There was a sudden burst of acceleration and the officer grabbed the steering wheel with both hands and the car veered towards oncoming traffic."

Sir Harry was represented by 'Mr. Loophole' Nick Freeman who said the distance covered was twenty-five metres.

He gave his address as a £1m three-bedroom maisonette at 3 Angel Court, St. James', Pall Mall, where the Djanogly Foundation is also registered, a charity, which has donated millions to arts and education.

He fled Nazi Germany with his family in 1936 and started-out as a supplier of stockings and hosiery in Nottingham, his adopted city, which has benefited from charitable donations of £1m to fund the City Technology Centre, which later became the Djanogly City Academy, plus £750,000 towards the University of Nottingham's arts centre at Highfields.

Sir Harry and Lady Carol are members of the Tate International Council and he has made significant financial contributions to the Tate Modern, Tate Britain and the Victoria & Albert Museum and donated £500,000 to the National Gallery extension and also supports the Royal Academy and National Portrait Gallery.

In 2008 The British Museum opened the Sir Harry and Lady Djanogly Gallery for Clocks and Watches and he helped develop the Jewish Museum project and the Royal Ballet School has a 'Djanogly Studio'.

He is believed to own the world's largest collection of work by artist LS Lowry, plus valuable paintings by Picasso and Monet.

Sir Harry's City lawyer son Jonathan Djanogly, 50, is the Conservative MP for Huntingdon.