A millionaire philanthropist, who was accused of driving off along a dual carriageway with a police officer hanging from the window of his sports car, has been cleared.
Textiles tycoon Sir Harry Djanogly, 77, told the jury he was desperate to get his sick wife to hospital when he was stopped for speeding on the A40 in Hammersmith, London.
The grandfather-of-six admitted to speeding but denied driving dangerously. He was cleared of common assault and dangerous driving at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday.
Sergeant Robert McDonald pulled Sir Harry over in December 2014 after he was spotted racing through traffic at 70mph in a 50mph zone while allegedly trying to get Lady Carol to a doctor.
Sir Harry who is worth £300 million, denied intentionally dragging Mr McDonald along the road, instead arguing the car accidentally rolled forward when his foot slipped during their argument.
Sergeant McDonald told the court he was left fearing for his life as he was carried more than 150ft clinging to the steering wheel. He suffered severe grazing to his knee as a result.
He also said Sir Harry drove off ignoring his efforts to talk to him and that his wife showed no visible signs of breathing difficulties.
Sir Harry, father of Conservative MP Jonathan Djanogly, gave evidence at Isleworth Crown Court.
He said: “I told him (Sgt McDonald) that I was taking my wife to the hospital and, once I have delivered her there, I will do what you want.
“He said 'No' and I said 'I'm going'. As I said that, he jumped through the window. He started frantically waving his arms around looking for a key or something.
“I was shocked at the way he just threw himself, threw himself literally, I mean it was all happening very quickly.”
He told the court that Lady Carol, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, had just come out of two weeks in intensive care when she started suffering from breathing difficulties.
Sir Harry said: “I just wanted to get my wife to hospital. The risk if I didn't, to me, it was very great.
“I know she's not a complainer. When she complains I know I have to act.
“We were concerned that she would have to have a tracheotomy. That's where they slit open the throat and put a pipe down it.”
Speaking outside court, Sir Harry's lawyer Nick Freeman, said: “Mr Djanogly very much regrets the incident and would like to thank the court and the jury for giving his case such careful consideration.”
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