Not Guilty: Lord Brabourne's Ex Cleared Of Hitting Mother

Emma & Maria Chaing outside court

The trial of the ex-fiancee of Prince Charles’ troubled godson Lord Brabourne, who was accused of repeatedly slapping her mother when refused £200 cash at the family’s £5.4m Chelsea home, was scrapped today.

Jobless hip hop performer Emma Peggy Chaing, 31, was engaged to be married to Nicholas Knatchbull, 38, two years ago and destined to become Countess Mountbatten.

However, last January Eton-educated ex-drug addict Knatchbull revealed he was now engaged to professional mermaid Ambre Saint-Clare.

Chaing - who performs as Emma Stayhear - was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court to stand trial this afternoon.

She was accused of attacking her mother Maria Eye Sui Chaing, 60, who accompanied her on her first appearance when she denied the charge.

Chaing pleaded not guilty to assault on July 16 at the family home at 23 Royal Avenue, Chelsea.    

At that initial court appearance prosecutor Mr. Robert Simpson said: “The complainant is the defendant’s mother and the defendant wanted two hundred pounds from her and the mother was unwilling to give it to her.

“She had gone to a mental health appointment and we say slapped her mother around the face two or three times, causing reddening and a small bruise.”

Chaing moved out of the family address into her uncle’s home at 335 Lillie Road, Fulham. 

A charge she also assaulted her father was dropped at that same first hearing.

He is Benjamin Ka Ping Chaing, 67, company director of Cathay Investments Ltd. and her mother is a named company secretary.

The family home was purchased for £5.4m in August, 2014.

Ms Ellen Wright, defending, said: “The case summary says ‘punching’. There was no punching and any contact was in self-defence.

“There may have been contact with hand or arm and the mother, but it certainly was not a punch.

“She is living with her uncle and still has a close relationship with her mother, her mother accompanied her to court today,” added Ms Wright.

“The defendant receives a lot of support from her mother in terms of mental health difficulties. They had a very close relationship.”

In her statement Chaing said her relationship with her parents was “not good” and she was keen to move out of the family home.