NOT GUILTY: Intellectual Pal Of French President Macon Cleared Of Assaulting Ex-Wife

Mathieu and new wife Alix

A leading entrepreneur and liberal intellectual - who is a confidante to new French president Emmanuel Macron - has been cleared of assaulting his ex-wife and a 10 year-old boy at his £7.7m Kensington home.

Qualified lawyer Mathieu Laine, 42, was accused of grabbing the arm of former wife Eleanore Salin, 40, and pulling her during a Boxing Day domestic last year.

Father-of-three Laine, of Palace Gardens Terrace was found not guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court of two counts of assault on December 26, 2016.

The founder of consultancy firm Altermind and UK sister company Hypermind arrived at court with new wife Alix Foriel-Destezet, the daughter of French billionaire Philippe Foriel-Destezet.

Mother-of-two Ms Salin, also a qualified lawyer, had arrived at the property in a Uber cab with the young boy, who was due to go on holiday to Morocco with Laine the next day.

Laine, who has lectured in economics and political philosophy at Sciences Po, Paris - known as Paris Institute of Political Studies - claims his ex has an agenda for bringing the charges.

Ex: Eleanore

Prosecutor Mr. Ciaran Cronin told the court: “He pulled Ms Salin forcefully away by the arm.”

The young boy was carried into the house by Laine, the court heard. “He was hit on the back of his legs with an open palm while the boy was running about while calling him a: ‘Little shit’ or words to that effect.”

Laine’s lawyer Miss Orla Daly told the court: “There is a motivation behind what we say is a false allegation.”

The court announced it found Laine to be a “credible” witness, contrary to his ex-wife and dismissed all claims he assaulted the boy.

Eleanor had exaggerated the domestic incident, describing it as "like a move scene".

She claimed she was forced to flee along the street, desperately calling out for help from neighbours and passers-by.