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Millionaire philanthropist Sir Harry Djanogly stands trial for ‘dangerous driving and assault’
March 2, 2016 11:25
A millionaire philanthropist drove off along a dual carriageway with a police officer hanging from the window of his sports car, a court has heard.
Sir Harry Djanogly, 77, stood trial on Monday for dangerous driving and assault following an incident in December 2014 that saw a policeman “fearing for [his] life”.
Sergeant Robert McDonald told west London’s Isleworth Crown Court how he stopped Sir Harry, father of Conservative MP Jonathan Djanogly, at the Hanger Lane gyratory in Ealing, west London, after failing to stop him once before and seeing him speed at up to 70mph and undertake vehicles on the A40 dual carriageway.
The textiles manufacturer allegedly told Sergeant McDonald that he was taking his wife to hospital because she had chest pains – although the court was told that Lady Djanogly had not been suffering a medical emergency at the time of the incident.
“I heard the sound of the engine revving and the vehicle moving forwards,” said Sergeant McDonald, who claimed to have been resting his arm on the window at the time. After feeling a blast of acceleration, the officer grabbed the steering wheel to stop himself being pulled under the car’s wheels.
“I was originally being dragged backwards, but I was then pulled into a forwards position – something I can only describe as a water-skiing position facing the same direction the Jaguar was moving in,” he said.
“I feared for my life. I know it sounds dramatic, but I did.”
The vehicle eventually came to a halt around 50 yards down the road after the officer “desperately” pulled himself inside the car. Sir Harry allegedly failed to cooperate with police as he was removed from the car, leading to him being handcuffed. He stands accused of dangerous driving and assault but denies the charges, saying the officer was aggressive towards him.
“To suggest I am a little bit disappointed with the offences he was charged with was an understatement,” Sergeant McDonald told the court. “He was put in cuffs because in my mind he tried to kill me.”
Sir Harry fled Nazi Germany with his family in 1936 and started out as a supplier of stockings and hosiery in Nottingham, his adopted city, which has benefited from charitable donations of £1 million.
The philanthropist, who is estimated to be worth £300 million, was knighted in 1993 for his services to charity.
The trial continues.
