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Justin Lee Collins found guilty of harassing former partner Justin Lee Collins found guilty of harassing former partner
(about 2 hours later)
The television presenter and comedian Justin Lee Collins has been found guilty of harassing his former partner, Anna Larke, by a jury at St Albans crown court.The television presenter and comedian Justin Lee Collins has been found guilty of harassing his former partner, Anna Larke, by a jury at St Albans crown court.
Collins, who made a name for himself as a host on Channel 4's The Friday Night Project, was ordered to do 140 hours community service. He showed no emotion as the majority verdict was returned.Collins, who made a name for himself as a host on Channel 4's The Friday Night Project, was ordered to do 140 hours community service. He showed no emotion as the majority verdict was returned.
Larke, a public relations worker, claimed during the trial that Collins subjected her to emotional abuse and violence.Larke, a public relations worker, claimed during the trial that Collins subjected her to emotional abuse and violence.
She alleged Collins, 38, compelled her to write down in a Pukka pad all her previous sexual encounters in graphic detail.She alleged Collins, 38, compelled her to write down in a Pukka pad all her previous sexual encounters in graphic detail.
Larke, also 38, said Collins forced her to quit social networking websites, sleep facing him and throw away DVDs because they featured actors she found attractive.Larke, also 38, said Collins forced her to quit social networking websites, sleep facing him and throw away DVDs because they featured actors she found attractive.
She alleged Collins physically attacked her while on trips to Miami and New York and said she had not shown anyone her bruises because she did not want to get "the love of my life" into trouble.She alleged Collins physically attacked her while on trips to Miami and New York and said she had not shown anyone her bruises because she did not want to get "the love of my life" into trouble.
The court was played a secret recording Larke made during a row shortly before the couple split in July last year. Collins apparently told Larke: "You bring the fucking demon out in me" and called her a "fucking slag". He also allegedly told her she had had sex with "blacks" and "chinks".The court was played a secret recording Larke made during a row shortly before the couple split in July last year. Collins apparently told Larke: "You bring the fucking demon out in me" and called her a "fucking slag". He also allegedly told her she had had sex with "blacks" and "chinks".
In his closing statement, Peter Shaw, prosecuting, claimed the Pukka pad list was used by Collins as a "rock" to dash Larke's self-esteem.In his closing statement, Peter Shaw, prosecuting, claimed the Pukka pad list was used by Collins as a "rock" to dash Larke's self-esteem.
He told the jury Larke was an alcoholic, bankrupt and suffering from depression. But he insisted she was not a fantasist.He told the jury Larke was an alcoholic, bankrupt and suffering from depression. But he insisted she was not a fantasist.
The couple met in 2006 when Collins was hosting an awards ceremony. They began an affair while Collins was married the following year but split up in 2008. They got back together after Collins's marriage broke down in 2010.The couple met in 2006 when Collins was hosting an awards ceremony. They began an affair while Collins was married the following year but split up in 2008. They got back together after Collins's marriage broke down in 2010.
Denying the charge, Collins claimed Larke was obsessive, jealous and possessive and would send him a "barrage" of text messages wanting to know where he was and who he was with.Denying the charge, Collins claimed Larke was obsessive, jealous and possessive and would send him a "barrage" of text messages wanting to know where he was and who he was with.
He said the seven-month relationship with Larke was "absolute hell". "I thought she loved me and was crazy about me," he said. "But it turned out only the second part was true."He said the seven-month relationship with Larke was "absolute hell". "I thought she loved me and was crazy about me," he said. "But it turned out only the second part was true."
Collins denied attacking her in any way, saying he had never hit anyone in his life. He told the court he had only ever slapped Larke to calm her down when she was self-harming, which he claimed she did, once gouging her wrists and threatening to commit suicide.Collins denied attacking her in any way, saying he had never hit anyone in his life. He told the court he had only ever slapped Larke to calm her down when she was self-harming, which he claimed she did, once gouging her wrists and threatening to commit suicide.
He said the secretly recorded row was completely out of character and it sounded "like someone else". He said he was in "meltdown" after his relationship with Larke hit rock bottom.He said the secretly recorded row was completely out of character and it sounded "like someone else". He said he was in "meltdown" after his relationship with Larke hit rock bottom.
Collins said Larke dictated the details of her sex life to him of her own free will as a form of catharsis.Collins said Larke dictated the details of her sex life to him of her own free will as a form of catharsis.
He denied being a racist. He said the recording showed him at his "absolute worst" and if he was racist his language would have been "far more colourful".He denied being a racist. He said the recording showed him at his "absolute worst" and if he was racist his language would have been "far more colourful".
Among those who gave character references for Collins was his former wife Karen, who told the trial they were still friends and he was a "lovely, genuine person" who was never violent to her. She said he was a "lovely dad" to their sons Archie, seven, and Harvey, four. Asked to describe him, she said: "Gentle, not aggressive, kind and generous", adding that he had never tried to control her.Among those who gave character references for Collins was his former wife Karen, who told the trial they were still friends and he was a "lovely, genuine person" who was never violent to her. She said he was a "lovely dad" to their sons Archie, seven, and Harvey, four. Asked to describe him, she said: "Gentle, not aggressive, kind and generous", adding that he had never tried to control her.
The journalist Boyd Hilton, who ghost-wrote Collins's autobiography, said he was "incredibly friendly, funny and down to earth".The journalist Boyd Hilton, who ghost-wrote Collins's autobiography, said he was "incredibly friendly, funny and down to earth".
Larke and her family issued a statement in which they said they were pleased with the verdict and would campaign to have emotional abuse "properly" recognised in the courts.
The statement read: "We are absolutely ecstatic with the verdict and are relieved the jury were able to see through the lies of an abuser.
"We will not rest on our laurels in the wake of this good news and intend to go out into the world and use this experience to empower women to stand up to domestic abuse.
"We will also be campaigning to have emotional abuse properly recognised in law and do our utmost to end the much reported culture of celebrities using their positions to abuse people without fear of reprisal.
"We thank the police and Crown Prosecution Service for their brilliance throughout and to the general public for their unwavering support and belief.
"We are overwhelmed by the messages from people, inspired by Anna's experience, who have left their abusive relationship. We hope this experience will empower other to do the same."
Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins of Hertfordshire police said: "No one should endure this sort of behaviour from anyone least of all someone with whom they have an intimate relationship. My team has worked really hard to bring this case before a jury and I hope the outcome serves as a warning to anyone who thinks it's OK to treat another person in this manner.
"The victim was extremely brave in coming forward. I would urge anyone who is or has been in a similar situation to get in contact with the police as soon as possible. I can reassure you that you will be taken seriously and treated with sensitivity."