Driver Banned For Tragic Lane Change

Thomas Ruffy

A budding primary school teacher has put her career dreams on hold for two years after her lane-change resulted in the tragic death of a dad-of-two motorcyclist.

Isabelle Jane Mullarkey, 23, did not see 29 year-old Thomas Ruffy overtaking a line of slow cars at up to 54 mph when she suddenly pulled out in front of him.

He was catapulted into a pedestrian traffic island, suffering catastrophic head injuries and died the next day with his family at his hospital bedside.

On Wednesday, Mullarkey, of Handen Road, Lee, south-east London was disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to complete 200 hours community service.

She pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving on November 11, 2019 in Eltham Road, Blackheath.

Mr Ruffy was described as a “joker” and “cheeky chap” by his mother Esther Clark, 53, who attended the sentencing and heard Mullarkey was guilty of “momentary inattention”.

Prosecutor Mr Subhanur Chowdhury told the court Mullarkey and Mr Ruffy were travelling in the same direction at 11.27am when she pulled her white Skoda Fabia in front of him.

“He is separated from his motorcycle and strikes the pedestrian refuge and as a result receives fatal head injuries, brain stem and traumatic head injuries.”

Isabelle Mullarkey

In her victim impact statement Mrs Clark said: “My whole world changed in an instant. I knew my beautiful son would be either severely brain damaged or pass way.

“The most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life was tell him: ‘Okay Tom. You can go now’.”

Mullarkey’s lawyer Sarah O’Kane told the court: “This is a very sad case for all concerned. Ms Mullarkey has asked me to extend her sympathy and remorse to the parents of Mr Ruffy and his wider family and friends.”

An expert estimated Mr Ruffy’s speed at 44mph-54mph, but concluded even if he was observing the 30mph speed limit a collision was inevitable and Mullarkey should have seen him in her wing mirror approaching from behind.

“The news he had died was difficult for her to deal with at her young age and it is something that will stay with her for the rest of her life,” added the lawyer.

“It had a devastating impact. She can’t see a future for herself and has extreme  remorse, guilt and sadness.

“The planned a career as a primary school teacher and had just started university before this incident, but has deferred for the last two years.”

Magistrate Heather East announced: “This is a very sad case. We have heard two young adults were travelling along the same road and collided.

“Perhaps if Mr Ruffy was travelling slower his injuries would not have been fatal. We will never know.

“Ms Mullarkey now has to carry that heavy burden that the actions of her driving took another life.”

Mullarkey must also attend twenty days of rehabilitation and pay £85 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

A tipsy pub customer shouted: “Bang! bang!” asking the bar manager: “Do you think I’ve got a bomb in my bag?” before throttling him, a court heard.

Jobless John Chitty, 65, had downed four to six pints during the afternoon drinking session when staff became worried about his unaccompanied rucksack.

Chitty, of Mason Close, Hampton, Richmond-upon-Thames was convicted of assaulting Joseph Clipsham at the William Webb Ellis pub in London Road, Twickenham on July 10, last year.

Prosecutor Sudara Weerasena told Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court: “Mr Chitty’s blue rucksack was unattended and the bar manager wanted to keep it for safekeeping.

“The defendant asked: ‘What? Do you think I’ve got a bomb in my bag?’ and made a loud: ‘Bang, bang,’ sound.”

Chitty pretended to throw the rucksack at the bar manager, shouting: “It’s a bomb!”

The bar manager ordered Chitty out of the pub, but he reacted violently. “He put his hands around the throat of the victim in a strangling motion,” added Ms Weerasena.

“He grabbed the bar manager my the neck and other staff and customers took him to the floor to restrain him.”

Chitty fought the charge, claiming he simply reacted to the bar manager spitting at him and intends to appeal.

His lawyer Ms Caroline Reeve said: “His previous convictions are of no relevance and this was a one-off incident.

“Mr Chitty simply does not accept he was responsible for any assault and maintains the manager spat art him and he pushed him away, fearing Covid.

“He had drunk four pints of lager on this occasion and alcohol may have effected his actions that day.

“He lives a quiet lifestyle and has several medical complaints, including diabetes, mobility issues and has stents in his heart.”

Magistrate Vanessa Weguelin told Chitty: “The court takes a serious view of someone who goes into a pub and having consumed four to six pints of lager behaves in a thoroughly reprehensible manner by claiming your bag had a bomb in it.

“That is not the way to behave in public and then you put your hands around Mr Clipsham’s neck.”

Chitty was placed on a twelve-month Community Order, which includes an electronically-tagged two-month home curfew between 6pm and 6am.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to the bar manager, plus £350 costs and a £95 victim surcharge. 

Campaigning Musician Threatened To Slit Unhappy Female Employee's Throat

A women’s rights champion told a sacked female employee, who criticised him online: “When I find you and my people find you, I’m going to slit your throat,” a court heard yesterday.

Musician Warner Newman, 37, who teamed up with UK charity Women’s Aid when releasing single ‘Runaway’ dismissed the young victim from his trendy plant-based vegan cafe in Brixton, south London.

Croydon Magistrates Court heard she was critical in an online review of Blank Brixton, prompting New Zealander Newman to bombard her with 48 phone messages in one day.

The father-of-three, of Acre Lane, Brixton pleaded guilty to communicating a threatening message to the woman on September 13, last year and harassing her with multiple text and phone messages on September 12.

The victim now fears leaving her home alone and looking at phone messages and has installed security cameras at her address.

Prosecutor Mrs Nwanneka Ike told the court: “The complainant was an employee of Mr Newman for a short period of time.

“She was asked to stop her employment and states she received fifteen messages and two video calls from Mr Newman.”

The defendant claims she was sacked for making an inappropriate comment to his Afro-Caribbean wife at the height of last year’s Black Lives Matter protests.

“The reason for his messages was she posted a review about her former employers online and described the working conditions as unfriendly and poor,” explained Mrs Ike.

“In response to her posts Mr Newman made the calls and she asked him to stop, but she received further messages and calls from him, a total of forty-eight.”

Newman left a final voice note, which he was able to delete immediately after the complainant listened to it, in which he said: “One more thing. “When I find you and my people find you, I’m going to slit your throat.”

Fortunately the victim recorded the message before Newman deleted it. 

He followed up the voice note with a text of a smiley face, wearing sunglasses.

In her victim impact statement the victim said: “This has brought me great concern for my personal safety.

“I don’t know what Mr Newman is capable of or who he knows. I am scared.

“I feel personally attacked and harassed whenever I get a message on my phone and I dod not expect to get a message on my phone threatening to slit my throat.

“I cannot leave home alone in fear of Mr Newman following me and I have installed cameras at my own expense at my front door.”

Newman’s lawyer Mr John Briant told the court: “He has a wife and three children. He is a family man and bought a building in Brixton and converted it into a cafe.

“He has been building up the business for three years and has employees who have been with him for a number of years and it feels like a family.

“There were some difficulties with the complainant, who was on a work trial and there was a negative online review about the cafe.

“Having gone through lockdowns and the pressures of work and trying to support his family in difficult circumstances he admits he totally over reacted.

“He accepts he should not have sent the voice recording and accepts there was an impact on her.

“This course of conduct lasted less than twenty-four hours and as soon as the threatening message was sent, it was delated.”

Suggesting Newman was simply erasing evidence magistrate Mr Daniel Willis said: “That’s one interpretation.”

“There has been no further contact,” added Mr Briant. “There will be no further contact.

“He has started counselling to deal with his reactions and behaviour. Art is ongoing to deal with these issues.

“He had not thought things through and had an emotional response to the effect this would have on his business and his family being at risk.”

Newman, who has a conviction for battery, was sentenced to a twelve-month Community Order, which includes a ten-day designated activity requirement and up to thirty days of the Probation Service’s thinking skills programme.

He must pay £200 compensation to the complainant, plus £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Newman was also made subject to a two-year Restraining Order, prohibiting contact with the victim.

Teen Robbed On Top Deck: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police are hunting this suspected robber after a teenager was threatened into handing over cash while travelling on a bus.

Detectives are appealing for help to identify the man, who told the 17 year-old victim he was armed with a knife.

At approximately 6.00pm on August 28, last year the teenager was on the upper deck of a route 89 bus as it ravelled through Broadway, Bexleyheath.

He was confronted by the suspect, who threatened to stab him.

The victim handed over a quantity of cash before the suspect got off in Ruskin Drive. 

The teenager was not injured.

Detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing
Command are investigating.

They have carried out a number of enquiries to trace the man and have now released a CCTV image in the hope that someone will come forward and identify him.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference CAD 5533/28AUG20.

Alternatively, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Teens Held After Knife & Cannabis Police Raid

Two teenagers have been arrested after a police raid in west London, where cannabis, cash and a fearsome 'zombie' knife were seized.

Officers executed an early-morning warrant at a residential address in Chiswick High Road on Thursday, February 4.

A 17 year-old female was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession, with intent to supply, Class B drugs. 

She was taken to a west London police station and was subsequently released on bail.

Officers involved in the same investigation arrested a 17 year-old male a week later on Thursday, February 11.

He is suspected of possession, with intent to supply, Class B drugs and conspiracy to commit robbery. 

He was taken to a west London police station and was subsequently released on bail.

The warrant was linked to an investigation into a series of moped enabled, knife point robberies committed in west London towards the end of 2020.

Enquiries continue.

Machete Seized From Suspected Car Vandals

This fearsome weapon was seized by police, who caught two young men suspected of vandalising cars with a baseball bat in south-east London.

They were arrested after a foot-chase by Violent Crime Taskforce (VCTF) officers.

At approximately 6.15pm on Thursday, February 11 officers from the Metropolitan Police's VCTF were called to reports of males armed with baseball bats damaging vehicles in Admiral Close, Orpington.

The calls stated the men were wearing balaclavas and armed with weapons while vandalizing multiple cars in the residential area before making off in a vehicle.

Officers attended the scene and conducted an area search for over an hour before locating a vehicle matching the description.

Upon seeing police, the two men inside the car quickly ran off.

A foot chase ensued before the men - both 22 years of age - were detained and subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. 

They were taken to a south London police station and were bailed to a future date, pending further enquiries.

Officers searched the vehicle and recovered an array of weapons, including the large machete, a baseball bat and a sling shot with ball bearings.

PC Matt Murrant said: “These arrests serve as evidence of the zero-tolerance approach the Met takes towards violence in any form. 

“Thanks to the persistence of these officers, an array of dangerous weapons - including a knife - have been removed from our streets.

“Removing horrendous weapons like these and tackling violent crime remains our top priority. 

“There is no excuse for carrying knives and officers will continue to be out there detecting criminality and bringing those responsible to justice.”

Romanian Jailed For Stabbing Policewoman In Face With Pen

A crazed Romanian repeatedly stabbed a policewoman in the face with a pen while loitering in a back garden.

Adrian Popa, 40, was tasered, but continued attacking the officer last summer in the rear of a property in Manor Park Crescent, Edgware.

At the Old Bailey he received three years and ten months imprisonment after pleading guilty to inflicting actual bodily harm and making threats to kill.

The court heard police were called by a resident at around 10.25am on Sunday, August 16, last year after Popa was spotted in the garden of an address.

He was subject to bail conditions that prohibited him from being in the area.

Officers attended and Popa began jumping fences in a bid to evade police.

He was pursued and apprehended by an officer.

A police taser was deployed and discharged, but was unsuccessful.

Popa launched a ferocious attack on the officer, stabbing her in the face multiple times with a pen and threatening to kill her.

Colleagues arrived and a police taser was again deployed and discharged. 

He was eventually arrested and taken to hospital as a precaution prior to going into police custody.

The officer was treated at the scene by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service before being taken to hospital.

Following a period of recuperation the officer has since returned to work.

Detective Constable Huss Ahmed said: "The officer in this incident is incredibly lucky, but for sheer fortune her injuries may well have been life-changing or worse, and we could have been looking at a very different investigation.

"I am glad Popa has admitted his guilt, and will now serve a custodial sentence. 

“This serves a reminder that we will pursue anyone who attacks our colleagues, and will work to put them before the courts to face justice."

Chief Inspector James Noble, of the North West Command Unit, said: "This example highlights the risk that police officers face when they go to work. 

“No officer should expect to be attacked in this way. 

“Popa is a violent man who will now face the consequences of his abhorrent actions that day. 

“We have and will always work to pursue charges against those who assault emergency workers."

Drug Dealer Locked-Up For Third Conviction

An Islington drug dealer is behind bars after police caught him on the street with crack and heroin for sale. 

Sonny Doyle, 25, clocked-up his third drug-dealing conviction when he pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court.

He admitted two counts of possessing Class A drugs, with intent to supply, and was sent to Snaresbrook Crown Court, where he received five years and eight months imprisonment.

The court heard he had two previous convictions for possession, with intent to supply, Class A drugs in 2016 and in 2018.

On Tuesday, January 12, officers were called to Cantelowes Gardens, off Camden Road to reports of an altercation involving a group of males. 

Local officers attended and saw Doyle run from police. 

They gave chase on foot and detained him nearby. 

He was found to be in possession of ten rocks of heroin and three rocks of crack cocaine.

Superintendent Elaina Usher, from the Metropolitan Police's Central North Neighbourhoods Unit, said: “Under new legislation (Section 313 of the Sentencing Act 2020) defendants who are convicted on three occasions of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply, will face a minimum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment. 

In this case that was reduced slightly due to an early guilty plea.

“This should act as a major warning to those who inflict misery on our communities by dealing drugs. 

“You will be caught and you will spend a significant time in prison.

“I want to reassure those living or working in Camden and Islington that officers from the Met’s Central North BCU are always looking at ways to tackle drugs offending in our two boroughs.” 

Sex Offender Gets Sixteen Years

A sexual predator, who preyed on a young girl – forcing her to have oral sex – has been sentenced to sixteen years imprisonment.

Danny Randall, 31, was sentenced at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

He initially appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on the charge.

Randall, of Price Way, Hampton, Richmond-upon-Thames pleaded guilty to one count of orally raping a girl aged under the age of thirteen years-old.

He was charged with committing the offence between July 2, 2014 and June 22, 2018 at another residential address in Hampton.

The court also ordered Randall to remain on licence for an additional five years after his release and he must sign the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.

"White Bitch" Racist Pushed Shopper Into Moving Bus

Amelia Doris

A woman dubbed the ‘Pimlico Pusher’ - who shoved a female shopper towards an oncoming bus as she continued a racially-charged row - has received a suspended prison sentence.

Amelia Doris, 40, initially clashed with Linda Lancaster, aged in her sixties, in a Tesco Express, calling her a “white bitch” after suspecting the victim’s basket bumped against her young son’s head.

The victim tried to avoid her on leaving the store, but was pursued from behind and shoved into a moving bus at a pedestrian crossing.

She fled the scene with her two children while Mrs Lancaster nursed a head wound near the bus, which came to an emergency stop.

Police released a CCTV image of Doris, plus moving video from the bus as they tried to identify her.

Doris, who has a Peabody Trust flat in Horseferry Road, Victoria pleaded guilty to inflicting actual bodily harm in Vauxhall Bridge Road, Pimlico on May 29, 2018.

She also pleaded guilty to the racially aggravated assault of Mrs Lancaster and the more serious charge of attempted grievous bodily harm was dropped.

Doris was sentenced to ten months imprisonment, suspended for a year and must attend a six-month mental health treatment programme, plus twenty days of rehab.

During the police hunt Scotland Yard described Doris as guilty of a deliberate “shoulder barge” on the victim into the path of the bus.

Mrs Lancaster was waiting at a pedestrian crossing and unaware of Doris approaching from behind when she was pushed.

The bus driver slammed on the brakes and the victim fell into the vehicle’s doors, leaving her stunned.

Shortly before the pair had rowed in the Tesco Express several streets away in Warwick Way, with Mrs Lancaster saying Doris also barged her then.

After the second shove Mrs Lancaster reportedly sustained bruises and grazes to her ankles, shins and knees, plus the head injury and an injury to her shoulder.

Announcing the hunt for Doris, Detective Constable Samantha Edwards said: “This was an unprovoked assault, which could have had much more serious consequences.

“A number of enquiries have been undertaken to locate the person responsible. If you recognise this woman i would ask you to contact police immediately.

“It goes without saying that the victim has been deeply effected emotionally by this whole incident.”

Cannabis Knife Fight: Police Hunt Two Suspects

Police are hunting these two suspects after an officer broke-up a Camden knife fight on New Year's Eve.

One man, believed to be in his late 20's, is described as black, with short black hair and a somewhat muscular build. 

He is described as wearing navy tracksuit trousers and a navy top with a yellow hood.

The second man is described as aged 20 to 25 years-old, of Arabic appearance, with short black hair and a beard, wearing a black puffer-style jacket with writing on the back.

Anyone who recognises these men is urged to email the investigating officer, PC Jake Loboda, of the Central West Basic Command Unit’s Gangs Unit, at Jakub.Loboda@met.police.uk or call him on 020 8246 0234.

At around 5.15pm, on December 31, last year the police officer noticed a man being chased around a flower stall in Rossmore Road, near Regent's Park by a small group of men.

The officer followed the group as they disappeared down Rossmore Court, where he found the men – some armed with knives – fighting.

He confronted the group and the men ran off. 

The officer pursued them while calling for back-up from his colleagues.

He managed to detain one of the men, a 20-year-old from Westminster, who was arrested on suspicion of affray, possession of an offensive weapon in relation to a knife found at the scene, and possession of a kilo of Class B cannabis resin, which was found at the scene.

He was taken into custody at a central London police station and subsequently released under investigation.

Detectives believe they have identified most of the men involved. 

They are now appealing for the public’s assistance to identify these two men seen on CCTV.

PC Loboda, said: “This was a violent fight which, had it not been for the quick and selfless actions of a nearby police officer, could have drawn to a much worse conclusion.

“The drugs trade is fuelling violent crime on London’s streets and causing harm to our communities. We need the public’s help to stop it.

“I’m urging anyone who recognises these men to contact me as soon as possible, so we can speak to them about the incident.”

Spitter Jailed For Policewoman Attack

A suspected bail breacher, who spat and kicked at a policewoman when concerned officers took him to hospital, has been jailed.

Steven Bennett, 47, of Brick Lane, Whitechapel, east London was stopped in Kennington Park Road, Kennington on December 19, last year due to a bail condition prohibiting him from the area.

At Croydon Magistrates Court he pleaded guilty to assaulting the officer and using threatening behaviour.

He was sentenced to a total of three months imprisonment and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the policewoman.

After his arrest on suspicion of breaching bail Bennett was taken to hospital as he was showing signs of being unwell.

While at the hospital, Bennett became aggressive and spat at and kicked the officer.

Police Sergeant David Smith, of Central South Command (Lambeth and Southwark boroughs) said: “The standard of evidence against Bennett presented by the two officers resulted in him pleading guilty.

“The female officer whom Bennett spat at and kicked was not seriously injured, but that does not make his behaviour acceptable. 

“Police officers spend their working lives protecting the public and their property and for them to be attacked during the course of their duties simply cannot, and will not, be tolerated.”

NOT GUILTY: Power Boating Businessman Cleared Of Royal Thames Yacht Club Grope

A power boat record breaking businessman was cleared yesterday of groping a woman outside the Royal Thames Yacht Club after telling a jury he was arguing with her smoking companion.

Entrepreneur Peter Bonham Christie, 39, always maintained his innocence, insisting the motivation for the pair’s claims was to get him drummed out of the 245 year-old private members club.

The Isleworth Crown Court jury took less than three hours to unanimously find Bonham Christie not guilty of one count of sexual assault.

Privately-educated Bonham Christie, whose company transports expensive classic cars, was accused of “lunging” towards the 27 year-old fellow club-member in the early hours of November 30, 2018 and thrusting his hand between her thighs.

She told the trial she was left shaken and upset by the incident and her evidence was backed-up by another club-member, Andrew Sutherland, 60, who was enjoying a cigarette with her.

He told the four-day trial: “I thought he was going to shake her hand, but grabbed her literally in the crotch area…between her thighs…I was quite shocked.”

However, Bonham Christie, who attended £40,000 a-year Millfield School, insisted he never touched the woman, but had gone outside to confront Mr Sutherland about a cocaine allegation he made about him.

“It’s a nonsense, a complete nonsense. The whole thing is ridiculous,” he said. “I know that I didn’t do it. She’s convinced somethings happened, I didn’t do it, that’s it.

“All they wanted was for me to be thrown out of the Royal Thames Yacht Club. They got trapped in their lie. What they have done is wrong.”

The defendant had spent the evening at auctioneers Bonhams, where he had a contract to transport expensive cars for sale, before moving onto five-star Claridge’s and in total consumed two glasses of champagne, two vodka and tonics, plus a glass of wine.

At the Royal Thames Yacht Club he says Mr Sutherland told a female friend and senior business client of him: “Nice guy, nice guy, shame he takes too much cocaine.”

This prompted the confrontation outside. “I was fuming with what he said, but I got nowhere. He had just said to one of my senior clients a lie and I grabbed him and shook him.

“I said: ‘Andrew, what the f*** did you do that for? Why did you say that?’ That was it.”

Bonham Christie was immediately discharged by Recorder Annabel Darlow QC, following the jury’s verdict and did not apply for any costs.

"Nonsense, A Complete Nonsense" Says Businessman Accused Of Royal Thames Yacht Club Grope

A power boating businessman, accused of groping a woman between the legs outside the Royal Thames Yacht Club, told the jury the allegation was “a nonsense, a complete nonsense,” yesterday

Peter Bonham Christie, 39, denies one count of sexually assaulting the 27 year-old woman in the early hours when she was having a smoke outside the Knightsbridge club on November 30, 2018.

Isleworth Crown Court heard the woman - a fellow club-member - was left shaking and in tears after the sudden early hours grope outside the 245 year-old exclusive private members club.

Bonham Christie, of Gosport Street, Lymington, Hampshire, who runs a company that specialises in the transportation of classic and luxury cars, said he was angry with the woman’s companion, 60 year-old Andrew Sutherland.

Bonham Christie told the court: “I was f***ed off. Anger got the better of me.”

The former University of Portsmouth student, an old boy of £40,000 a-year Millfield School, said Mr Sutherland had described him as a cocaine-user to a female friend and business client.

He told her: “Nice guy, nice guy, shame he takes too much cocaine.”

Bonham Christie told the court he did not touch the complainant, who was standing next to Mr Sutherland when he angrily approached him outside the club.

“I know that I didn’t do it. She’s convinced somethings happened, I didn’t do it, that’s it.

“It’s a nonsense, a complete nonsense. The whole thing is ridiculous.

“All they wanted was for me to be thrown out of the Royal Thames Yacht Club. They got trapped in their lie. What they have done is wrong.”

During the evening Bonham Christie consumed at least two glasses of champagne, two vodka and tonics and a glass of wine and said Mr Sutherland was “hitting” on his female friend.

“He is someone I know and prefer to keep at arm’s length. He’s not a particularly nice person, he’s a drunken idiot.”

Bonham Christie said the complainant clearly took Mr Sutherland’s side in their dispute. “She was looking after him, she took him away from me.

“I was fuming with what he said, but I got nowhere. He had just said to one of my senior clients a lie and I grabbed him and shook him.

“I said: ‘Andrew, what the f*** did you do that for? Why did you say that?’ That was it.”

Earlier Bonham Christie described himself to the jury: “I am a high achiever. I like to have fun, I work very hard.

“I like to win, I like to have goals and achieve them and I have, quite a lot.”

Bath-born Bonham Christie, a self-styled entrepreneur, sold his first office water cooler company for over £1m, utilising water sourced on his family’s Dorset property.

Bonham Christie represented GB in sailing and skiing, aged 13 years-old and once received an award from the Royal Yachting Association for breaking the offshore powerboat world speed record.

Trial continues…………

Businessman Grabbed Woman "Between Her Thighs" Says Royal Thames Yacht Club Member

Peter Bonham Christie

A power boating businessman left a fellow Royal Thames Yacht Club member “obviously distressed, physically shaking” when he groped her between the legs, an eye witness told a jury today.

Peter Bonham Christie, 39, denies one count of sexually assaulting the 27 year-old woman in the early hours when she was having a smoke outside the Knightsbridge club on November 30, 2018.

Giving evidence from his Cotswold home club member Andrew Sutherland, 60, told Isleworth Crown Court he attended the club following a City banking function earlier that night.

He said was outside smoking with the complainant when Bonham Christie emerged: “I was about to introduce him and before I could he made his lunge to her.

“He turned around without any provocation, quite an aggressive move without any reason, I think with his left hand.

“I thought he was going to shake her hand, but grabbed her literally in the crotch area…between her thighs…I was quite shocked.

“She was visibly distressed and physically shaking after it. The shaking turned into tears then.

“After the initial shock I turned around to him and said: ‘What are you doing?’ and he tried to apologise to me and I placed myself as a physical barrier between the two of them.

“I have to assume he was quite drunk, it was so unexpected what he did. He seemed to apologise and he was doing it to me, not her.

“She was pretty shocked by the whole thing and was obviously distressed, physically shaking over it and crying.”

The woman then told Bonham Christie’s girlfriend what happened. “She was still shaking and increasingly angry about it and his girlfriend was quite shocked about it as well.”

Mr Sutherland called a taxi for the complainant and checked on her the next day. “I phoned her up to check she was okay. She was still very upset by it all.

“It’s an embarrassing situation for a member of the club to do what he did.”

The witness also spoke to the defendant the next day. “He specifically mentioned he had done something silly and I had to get him out of a significant hole.

“He asked me to provide him with her phone number so he could apologise and I told him it was not appropriate for me to give him the phone number.”  

Mr Sutherland denied Bonham Christie’s assertion both he and the complainant were “very drunk” and that he was an associate of a social circle known as the “drink and curry crowd.”

Denying he was a “big drinker” the witness also denied telling one guest that night: “Peter Bonham Christie is a good bloke, but takes too much cocaine.”

Bonham Christie’s QC Felicity Gerry put to Mr Sutherland: “He didn’t lunge at her and did not grab her at all.

“What you say about him lunging at her is not true. Your recollection is mistaken because you were drunk and maybe you grabbed her Mr Sutherland?”

“That’s ridiculous,” he replied.

Bonham Christie admits he was angry at Mr Sutherland’s alleged comments and behaviour that night and approached him outside, saying; “You f***ing idiot, why did you do that? You’re a f***ing idiot.”

“That’s a complete fabrication,” said the witness. “I have no animosity against Peter Bonham Christie at all. I am certainly not lying and I’m not mistaken.”  

Bonham Christie, of Gosport Street, Lymington, Hampshire, runs a company that specialises in the transportation of classic and luxury cars.

The former University of Portsmouth student is an old boy of £40,000 a-year Millfield School and a member of the 245 year-old exclusive private members-only Royal Thames Yacht Club.

Bath-born Bonham Christie, a self-styled entrepreneur, sold his first office water cooler company for over £1m, utilising water sourced on his family’s Dorset property.

Bonham Christie represented GB in sailing and skiing, aged 13 years-old and once received an award from the Royal Yachting Association for breaking the offshore powerboat world speed record.

The trial continues………..