TV's Collins guilty of harassing ex

Oct 9 2012

Television presenter Justin Lee Collins has been found guilty of harassing his former partner, Anna Larke.

A jury at St Albans Crown Court heard that the 38-year-old subjected the video games public relations worker to sustained emotional and domestic abuse during their seven-month relationship, and made her write down in a Pukka pad all her previous sexual encounters regardless of how graphic.

The court was told that Collins made her sleep facing him, throw away DVDs because they featured actors she found attractive and made death threats against her.

Bearded, long-haired Collins, who appeared in court wearing a shirt, black blazer and jeans, did not show any emotion as the verdict was announced.

Judge John Plumstead sentenced Collins to carry out 140 hours unpaid work within the next 18 months and he was also ordered to pay £3,500 in prosecution costs.

Ms Larke's family released a statement describing their relief at the verdict.

It said: "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 are overwhelmed by the messages from people, inspired by Anna's experience, who have left their abusive relationship. We hope this experience will empower others to do the same."