On The Run: 61st In Line To Throne Flees Justice After Racist Assault

A homeless aristocrat, who is 61st in line to the British throne, spat blood and saliva at a casino doorman while racially abusing him and his supervisor after suffering a beating, a court heard.

Rowan Lascelles, 41, is on the run after jumping bail and not attending his City of London Magistrates Court trial on Monday, where he was convicted.

His father is The Hon. James Lascelles, 65, the second son of the 7th Earl of Harewood and a first cousin, once removed, of the Queen.

The trial heard Lascelles, who told police he was of no fixed abode when arrested, was chased and beaten by three homeless men outside the Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square at 3am on June 18.

Doorman Vlad Florin told the court: “Three homeless men were chasing another male, who looked homeless, to beat him up.

“The three gave him a few punches and put him on the floor and we tried to stop them and they ran away and then the gentleman started having an argument with us.

“He started shouting at us, asking why we didn’t jump in to save him and he was abusive to us. He was racist towards us, calling the supervisor a: ‘Paki’.

“He told me that I was a muslim and I needed to go back to my country and where we come from we beat our women back home.

“He was very aggressive and it was making me feel uncomfortable because we were trying to stop him getting beaten up and instead of saying thank-you he started threatening and abusing us.

“He was bleeding from the mouth and nose and spitting blood on our shirts and he came back with a pen and paper, wanting names and badge numbers and then decided to spit.

“It was aggressive verbally and he clearly spat and it landed on my face and clothes.

“He tried to run away, but we followed him and restrained him on the floor until the police arrived.”

Prosecutor Sharon Michaels said: “It seemed that he had been in a fight with other people and the victims were security guards outside the casino and he racially abused them.

“He asked: ‘Are you f***ing legal?’ and called supervisor Amaar Dodhy a: ‘Paki’.

“He was spitting and had blood on his face from the fight and that went over them.

“The assault on Mr. Florin was that he purposefully spat at him and it landed on him.”

When questioned by police Lascelles denied the allegations and insisted he had not been racially abusive and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, the magistrates found him guilty of the racially aggravated assault of Mr. Florin and using racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards Mr. Dodhy.

They did not sentence the absent Lascelles, instead issuing a warrant for his arrest.

Commuter's Train Rage Ticket Barrier Assault

A frustrated CEO, battling to get the train home for his 55th birthday party, ended up in police custody after grabbing a ticket collector and shouting: “I bet you really want a f***ing fight you little gay boy,” a court heard yesterday.

Mortgage broker Simon Checkley, 55, demanded staff let him through a ticket barrier during the King’s Cross evening rush hour after missing his train, telling them: “Your service is b*******.”

The father-of-four, who lives in a £1.5m house in

Burnham Green Road, Datchworth, Hertfordshire pleaded guilty to assaulting Luke Leach on May 3.

At City of London Magistrates Court he was fined £500, with £300 costs, ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim, plus a £50 victim surcharge.

He founded his Lincoln’s Inn Fields company two decades ago and celebrated that twenty-year anniversary as well as his own birthday with glasses of wine during the day, the court was told.

Prosecutor Jennifer Gatland said Mr. Leach is a revenue control officer at the station and was standing by the ticket barrier when he heard Checkley demand: “Oi staff. Leave me out.”

“The defendant was told there was no need to be rude and when he repeated that he wanted to be let out he was informed that his behaviour was hostile and rude.”

Checkley replied: “Your service is crap. What’s your name? I’m going to take a picture.”

CCTV was played to the court showing Checkley take out his phone and the victim states he was saying: “Smile for the picture.”

The court heard he then asked to see Mr. Leach’s name tag. “Mr. Checkley then grabbed the top of his left arm and said: ‘Come here.’

“Mr. Leach said: ‘Don’t touch me. That’s assault,’ and the police were called,” added Ms Gatland.

She said Checkley repeated four times: “Anytime, any place. We’ll see what happens.”

When questioned by police Checkley claimed his actions were more of a touch than a grab and denied making homophobic comments.

Afterwards Mr. Leach said: “I felt really angry at this comment because I do not like homophobic comments.”

Ms Gatland said: “He appeared to be drunk when this happened and he admitted to the police he had a few drinks.”

Checkley’s lawyer Ms Aisling Byrnes said: “This was the Friday of the weekend celebrating his fifty-fifth birthday and he had wine at lunchtime and a second lunch with wine.

‘He intended to catch the train home for a weekend family gathering. He went through the barrier, but missed the train and wanted to go back through the barrier to catch another train.

“He accepts he was frustrated and wanted to get to the train and admits he might have been abrupt and was reprimanded by Mr. Leach.

“Mr. Checkley was being told off and he escalated things by taking his phone out and the name badge was thrust toward him so things were getting heated on both sides.

“He has no recollection of using abusive language, but is not going to waste the court’s time by mitigating the difference.

“He has worked hard all his life and is used to good behaviour and good manners.

“He is not someone who is regularly inebriated. He wanted to get home for his birthday and was rude.

“He is a law-abiding man who lost his temper. He will have to disclose this conviction because he works in the finance sector and was ashamed to miss the birthday party because he was in police custody.”

“He is mortified and deeply sorry. He had been drinking and had little recollection of the incident until viewing the CCTV last week.

“He expresses a wish to apologise to Mr. Leach.”

Magistrate Colin Bateman-Jones told Checkley: “You are aware of the seriousness of the matter. The offence is worsened by the fact you were drinking and this gentleman was doing his job.

“You berated him with a homophobic comment and there were other people around.”

Mayfair Art Gallery Owner Admits Twice Beating Up Girlfriend

A member of a famous art-dealing family, who owns a Mayfair gallery, banged his girlfriend’s head against the wall of his multi-million pound apartment, a court heard.

Joseph Nahmad, 31, of The Knightsbridge, 199 Knightsbridge, is the latest generation of a powerhouse art-dealing family, who made billions in impressionist and modern art. 

He owns Mayfair’s Nahmad Projects gallery in Cork Street.

He pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to assaulting Georgia Barry, 20, causing her actual bodily harm, on October 27, last year and March 8, this year at his apartment.

Nahmad pleaded not guilty to similarly inflicting actual bodily harm at elite celebrity hotspot Tape London, 17 Hanover Square, Mayfair between January 31 and February 15, this year.

The prosecution offered no evidence on this charge and Nahmad’s QC William Clegg told the court: ““There was an incident in a nightclub where a scratch and bruise were sustained. Very minor injuries.

“The issue in a trial would be did she go for him or did he go for her? She’s at least on two occasions tried to withdraw all three counts.”

Prosecutor Mr. John Fairhead said the victim insists Nahmad armed himself with and brandished a knife during the second attack.

Ms Barry told police: “He picked up a knife and said: ‘Are you going to say sorry?’ He threw it onto the counter.”

Nahmad has always denied arming himself with a knife during the row and it will not be an issue at sentencing.

“This is in the context of a considerable beating say the Crown, banging her head against a wall,” added Mr. Fairhead.

“Both parties drank to excess and she on two occasions says she was tipsy.”

In a statement Nahmad says: “She was in a consensual, loving relationship that at times became toxic.”

The Knightsbridge is a luxury managed enclave of apartments and mews houses, which surrounds an award-winning landscaped garden and include a luxury spa, valet parking and 24-hour concierge.

Joseph - who once made the Under-30’s Forbes rich list - has a brother Hillel ‘Helly’ Nahmad, who is also a New York gallery owner, as are two of his cousin’s. 

He is the son of Beirut-born billionaire art dealer Ezra Nahmad.

Judge Jeffrey Pegden QC bailed Nahmad until August 30 for a pre-sentence and psychiatric report.

Race Abuse At Soho Restaurant

Ivy Soho Brasserie

A man who racially abused a woman at a Soho restaurant has been fined and ordered to pay her compensation.

George Leonard Bromley, 34, of Priory Close, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Somerset appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court.

He pleaded guilty to racially harassing Fedrica Campagna on June 1 at the Ivy Soho Brasserie, Broadwick Street, with intent to cause her harassment, alarm or distress.

Bromley was fined £500, with £85 costs and was ordered to pay £250 compensation to the victim and a £50 victim surcharge. 

City Worker Beat Doorman During Work Drinks

Devonshire Square

A drunken City worker, who was told he risked imprisonment for repeatedly punching a bar security guard after he was asked to leave a Square Mile venue, has been ordered to do community service.

Luke Kenneth Charge, 26, of King's Avenue, Buckhurst Hill, Woodford Green, Essex left the victim bleeding heavily and was arrested.

At Westminster Magistrates Court he changed his plea to guilty to assaulting the guard in Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate, causing him actual bodily harm, on September 13, last year.

The prosecutor told the court it was 9.30pm and Charge was out drinking with work colleagues and so obviously “intoxicated” security staff asked him to leave.

He became “very animated and upset” and a friend tried to calm him down and persuade him to leave.

However, Charge returned and attacked one of the security guard's, punching the victim in the face with the assault continuing on the floor.

The court was told there was a “substantial amount of bleeding” and the guard was struck in the face again.

The case was adjourned so unrepresented Charge could appoint a lawyer, with the magistrate saying: “The aggravating feature is the sustained or repeated attack.

“I am not ruling prison out and that makes it very serious. I think he needs a solicitor.” 

Following his Probation Service interview Charge was sentenced to 200 hours community service work and ordered to pay £250 compensation to the doorman.

He must also pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Commuter's Ministry Of Justice Fares Scam

Westminster Magistrates Court

A commuter working for the Ministry of Justice, accused of keeping his true travel distance a secret, has been sentenced.

David Gange, 47, of Spa Gardens, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court.

He was charged that between March 13, 2017 and October 29, 2018 he dishonestly failed to disclose information, namely his commuting distance to work, to make a gain, namely salary paid under Excess Fares Allowance.

Gange was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 250 hours community service work and must pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Diamond Ring Nicked: Employee Sentenced

Sentenced: Ealing Magistrates Court

An employee charged with stealing a diamond ring from a west London family and using someone else's bank card has been sentenced.

Izabela Szuflinska, 36, of Churchill Court, Newmarket Avenue, Northolt was placed on a twelve-month community order.

She was charged with stealing the £1,000 ring, belonging Caitlin Fawkes, in Ealing on February 13.

Szuflinska was also charged with fraud by false representation, namely using another's bank card between January 23 and February 12.

She was sentenced at Ealing Magistrates Court, where was was also ordered to complete 100 hours community service.

She must also pay £755 compensation, plus £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Man Sentenced For Social Club Incident

A middle-aged man, originally charged with sexually assaulting a woman at a south London social club, has been sentenced.

Kevin Chiverton, 59, of Buckingham Way, Wallington, Sutton was accused of an incident on June 24, last year.

It ocurred at Carshalton Institute & Social Club in North Street.

At Croydon Magistrates Court Chiverton was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 120 hours unpaid community service work.

He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim, £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Paralympian Lord Holmes Denies Groping Hotel Spa Masseuse

Paralympian Lord Chris Holmes appeared in court yesterday accused of grabbing the bum of a female masseuse in the spa of a luxury five-star central London hotel.

The 47 year-old Peterborough-born Conservative life peer is charged with sexually assaulting the woman on March 7 at Sofitel Hotel, 6 Waterloo Place, St. James’s.

He indicated a not guilty plea at Westminster Magistrates Court and was bailed unconditionally to appear at Southwark Crown Court on April 19.

Visually-impaired Baron Holmes of Richmond MBE, who lives in a £2.25m home in Priory Road, Kew, did not have to surrender to the secure dock and was seated in front of it.

He only spoke to confirm his name, age and date of birth and confirm his plea.

Prosecutor Ms Melanie Hardwick told District Judge Margot Coleman the complaint arose from Lord Holmes’s £150 ninety-minute deep tissue massage appointment.

She told the court Lord Holmes reached around and grabbed the masseuse's bum with both hands.

The masseuse complained to her duty manager and the police were informed the next day.

Lord Holmes’s lawyer Mr. Alex dos Santos told the court: “There was some contact, but not as described.”  

Lord Holmes won nine gold, five silver and one bronze medal as a visually impaired swimmer in four Paralympic Games between 1988 and 2000.

He has also worked as a journalist and solicitor and was Director of Paralympic Integration at London 2012. 

The Cambridge University graduate lost his sight as a teenager due to a genetic eye disorder.

He was a Commissioner for the Disability Rights Commission and a Non-executive Director to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

He was also appointed a special advisor on Diversity and Inclusion to the Civil Service, is a Non-executive Director to the Channel 4 Board and is a Chancellor at BPP University.

Lord Holmes has been a member of House of Lords Select Committees on Digital Skills, Social Mobility, Financial Exclusion and Artificial Intelligence.

Couple Sentenced For Defrauding Neighbours Of Freehold Share

Housebound: Dagg

A couple defrauded their upstairs neighbours out of their freehold share then charged £60,000 for use of the stairs up to their flat, a court heard.

Retired Douglas Dagg, 72, and Julie Green, 70, also extended their own lease for free, but charged the couple above £24,500 to do the same thing.

“People should have been treated well as neighbours. You were both extremely mean and made living in that building a complete nightmare,” said Judge Owen Davies QC.

“Your neighbour upstairs had years and years of misery, including arguments over communal parts of the building you were trying to prevent other people using or charge them.

“You extended your own lease for free, but tried to charge large sums of money to extend the other leaseholders. The atmosphere in that house must have been terrible for years and neither of you have the slightest remorse for what you have done.”

They both pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position, namely transferring the freehold of the property in Durand Gardens, Stockwell to themselves and were sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

Court Date: Green 

Judge Davies ordered they must also pay the £16,000 legal bill of their upstairs and downstairs neighbours for restoring the freehold share. “I see no reason why these defendants should not pay the entirety of the costs to the victims of their wrongdoing.”

He also ordered they pay £2,000 compensation each to Bradley Burden and Marc Todd. “I want to reflect in a small measure the misery you have subjected your victims to.”

The couple claim downstairs flat leaseholder Mr. Todd was a buy to let landlord, who failed to contribute to running costs as did upstairs couple Mr. Burden and partner Lisa Clayton.

“The fact the freehold devolved to us looks terrible on paper, but they were not paying their bills, which was mostly insurance,” said retired market researcher Green from the couple’s flat in the leafy Stockwell Park Conservation Area.

“The judge really had a downer on us that we were greedy and nasty, which isn’t the case,” said her housebound partner Dagg, a former factory boss. “We have been left with a twenty thousand pound bill, which is more than we can possibly afford.”

Prosecutor Mr. Oliver Newman told Inner London Crown Court Green was the company director and Dagg the company secretary of Durand 42 Ltd. 

“In October 2010 they took complete ownership of all shares in the company and were sending the other flats invoices for work and there was a substantial management fee.

£60K: Stairway To Hell

“They said Mr. Burden and Ms Clayton had no right to cross the landing outside their flat to access the stairs and demanded sixty thousand pounds to grant access to the top floor.”

In his victim impact statement first-time buyer Mr. Burden said: “This has had a negative impact on our lives, health and well-being for ten years.

“We had regular threatening correspondence, demands for payment and told we had no rights to the common parts of the building.

“There were barricades blocking communal areas and exits and our post was taken and found in Douglas and Julie’s flat. We were fearful and intimidates and scared to return home.”

The couple did not pay the fees for stair access or lease extension.

Dispute: Durand Gardens

Mr. Newman added: “They were a young couple, purchasing their first flat, had their first child and were unable to sell and move on to a house and were at the mercy of the defendants because they took over the freehold.” 

Green, who says the couple will probably have to sell-up to pay the money, added: “We were astonished the police were involved. They came here at 8am with a search warrant.”

Dagg said: “We were paying their insurance, we did not make any money out of it. We wanted to tend to the leases because they were so badly written up.

“They were all Buy To Let and they have not lost out. Upstairs rented the flat out regularly for £400-500 per week and that was contrary to the lease.”