The uncle of Kate and Pippa Middleton tried to be given a caution instead of being charged with assaulting his wife, a court heard today (tues).
The uncle of the Duchess of Cambridge Gary Goldsmith, 52, tried to have the matter dealt with so he did not appear in court.
But the request was rejected by prosecutors.
Goldsmith is said to have attacked Julie-Ann Goldsmith, 47, outside their home in the early hours of October 13.
The couple had spent the night at a private members’ club before returning to their house in Marylebone, central London where they started arguing, it is said.
They had been at a charity auction at Home House, which was raising money for Last Night A DJ Saved My Life, which supports children in crisis.
But they began arguing in a taxi home, and Goldsmith, the uncle of the Duchess of Cambridge, then launched an attack, it is claimed.
Police were called to the scene at 1.24am and arrested Goldsmith, who has been to the weddings of both Kate and Pippa Middleton.
Mrs Goldsmith was taken to hospital for her injuries, and has since been discharged.
Goldsmith was later charged with assault by beating which carries a maximum six month jail term or an unlimited fine.
Goldsmith was due to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court today (tues) but he failed to show up after being told he was not required by his lawyers.
The court also heard his lawyers had requested an adjournment so a caution could be looked at.
However prosecutors said this was “misleading” as they had rejected it and were planning to go ahead with the charge.
Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot said: “Essentially there was a request from the defence that came into the court for a two-week adjournment so that a caution could be looked at.
“Is that right?”
Katie Bryan, prosecuting, replied: “I have now had sight of that correspondence. It does appear to be the case.
“It does go on to say that the CPS had agreed to such an adjournment.
“But that is slightly misleading. We have considered a caution, and we are proceeding to charge – to bring this matter forward.
“And so I am not quite sure where that has come from.
“What we had agreed to was an adjournment because the defence had raised an abuse of process.”
The chief magistrate said: “The point is, he isn’t here because he has been told by his solicitors he doesn’t need to attend.
“So it’s absolutely clear, he will come back on the 14th of November in front of me.
“I know that the domestic violence people need to speak to… a risk assessment.”
The court heard work would be carried out in the meantime and it was essential the case comes back as there will be some information the judge will need.
Ms Arbuthnot said: “That’s when you are all in the court.
“It will be listed on the 14th of November. And there we are. Thanks very much indeed.”
Goldsmith, who lives in a street where homes average £2.5million, made his fortune after he built a recruitment empire.
He is the brother of Carole Middleton, and has been labelled the “black sheep” of the family in the past.
Goldsmith, of Marylebone, will appear in court next month.
He remains on bail.
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