this one is only of interest to the newspapers because of the Diana connection:
'Liar' Hewitt can't have gun licences back, says judge
By Caroline Davies
(Filed: 26/11/2004, London Daily Telegraph)
James Hewitt, the former lover of Diana, Princess of Wales, was branded a "liar" yesterday by a judge who refused to return his gun licences.
Police had revoked the licences after the 46-year-old former Cavalry officer was arrested for cocaine possession. A search of his Chelsea home revealed a disassembled 16-bore shotgun lying on the living room floor when it should have been locked in a metal gun cabinet. At the time of his arrest Hewitt had drunk four bottles of wine and police feared he could not be "trusted with possession of a gun" because of his "intemperate habits".
After hearing that police feared he was "a danger to the public safety or peace" Judge Charles Byers, sitting at Blackfriars Crown Court, denied Hewitt's appeal to have his licences returned. He ruled that Hewitt had "flagrantly abused the privilege" that came with being allowed to possess shotguns and rifles. The judge, sitting with two magistrates, said they were "satisfied he lied to police" after being detained earlier this year outside a restaurant with the TV presenter Alison Bell, and was found to have.361 grams of cocaine stuffed in a trouser pocket.
Earlier, James Rankin, appearing for the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, told the court: "A drunken man with a gun is capable of being very dangerous." Hewitt could not be "trusted with possession of a gun... because he lacked proper self control".
Hewitt sat in the well of the court as Mr Rankin explained police had been called to the Cactus Blue bar in Fulham by a photographer. He claimed to have pictures of Hewitt giving his "woman companion" some money, her returning after purchasing something to pass Hewitt, something which he then "placed in his right-hand trouser pocket", the court heard. The two went upstairs and officers later found traces of cocaine in both the ladies and gents lavatories. A police sergeant challenged Hewitt and told him he would be searched. When asked if he had drugs on his person, he replied: "No way", before trying to put his hand in his trouser pocket. The sergeant stopped him, put his own hand in the pocket and pulled out two pieces of folded paper, one containing a powder, the other empty. When asked what the powder was Hewitt replied: "No comment". He was taken to Notting Hill police station, where he said he had drunk four bottles of wine since 1pm that day.
"His female companion, who was also arrested, was later released without charge," said Mr Rankin.
Hewitt, who was judged not fit to be questioned, was put in a cell where he spent the night. During later questioning he admitted possessing cocaine but said he had it with him when he left home.
Police found the 16-bore William Evans shotgun "simply lying on the floor" when they searched his flat. Mr Rankin explained that when Hewitt applied for his certificates to be renewed in 2000, he "gave an indication" that he would be storing his guns at William Evans, a gun dealer in St James's Street, London, and at another dealers in Okehampton, Devon. In addition to the shotgun, the court hear that Hewitt, who was cautioned for possession of cocaine, owned three 12-bore shotguns, one a semi-automatic, and a.22 rifle with a telescopic sight used to "shoot vermin". All had been stored at his Devon dealers. Hewitt had told the court his heavy drinking that day was "very unusual", and that the deprivation of his gun licences would seriously undermine his fund-raising abilities for charity.
Outside court, George Kepper, Hewitt's solicitor said: "We are taking legal advice and this matter is still under consideration. There are appeal proceduresâ€.
'Liar' Hewitt can't have gun licences back, says judge
By Caroline Davies
(Filed: 26/11/2004, London Daily Telegraph)
James Hewitt, the former lover of Diana, Princess of Wales, was branded a "liar" yesterday by a judge who refused to return his gun licences.
Police had revoked the licences after the 46-year-old former Cavalry officer was arrested for cocaine possession. A search of his Chelsea home revealed a disassembled 16-bore shotgun lying on the living room floor when it should have been locked in a metal gun cabinet. At the time of his arrest Hewitt had drunk four bottles of wine and police feared he could not be "trusted with possession of a gun" because of his "intemperate habits".
After hearing that police feared he was "a danger to the public safety or peace" Judge Charles Byers, sitting at Blackfriars Crown Court, denied Hewitt's appeal to have his licences returned. He ruled that Hewitt had "flagrantly abused the privilege" that came with being allowed to possess shotguns and rifles. The judge, sitting with two magistrates, said they were "satisfied he lied to police" after being detained earlier this year outside a restaurant with the TV presenter Alison Bell, and was found to have.361 grams of cocaine stuffed in a trouser pocket.
Earlier, James Rankin, appearing for the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, told the court: "A drunken man with a gun is capable of being very dangerous." Hewitt could not be "trusted with possession of a gun... because he lacked proper self control".
Hewitt sat in the well of the court as Mr Rankin explained police had been called to the Cactus Blue bar in Fulham by a photographer. He claimed to have pictures of Hewitt giving his "woman companion" some money, her returning after purchasing something to pass Hewitt, something which he then "placed in his right-hand trouser pocket", the court heard. The two went upstairs and officers later found traces of cocaine in both the ladies and gents lavatories. A police sergeant challenged Hewitt and told him he would be searched. When asked if he had drugs on his person, he replied: "No way", before trying to put his hand in his trouser pocket. The sergeant stopped him, put his own hand in the pocket and pulled out two pieces of folded paper, one containing a powder, the other empty. When asked what the powder was Hewitt replied: "No comment". He was taken to Notting Hill police station, where he said he had drunk four bottles of wine since 1pm that day.
"His female companion, who was also arrested, was later released without charge," said Mr Rankin.
Hewitt, who was judged not fit to be questioned, was put in a cell where he spent the night. During later questioning he admitted possessing cocaine but said he had it with him when he left home.
Police found the 16-bore William Evans shotgun "simply lying on the floor" when they searched his flat. Mr Rankin explained that when Hewitt applied for his certificates to be renewed in 2000, he "gave an indication" that he would be storing his guns at William Evans, a gun dealer in St James's Street, London, and at another dealers in Okehampton, Devon. In addition to the shotgun, the court hear that Hewitt, who was cautioned for possession of cocaine, owned three 12-bore shotguns, one a semi-automatic, and a.22 rifle with a telescopic sight used to "shoot vermin". All had been stored at his Devon dealers. Hewitt had told the court his heavy drinking that day was "very unusual", and that the deprivation of his gun licences would seriously undermine his fund-raising abilities for charity.
Outside court, George Kepper, Hewitt's solicitor said: "We are taking legal advice and this matter is still under consideration. There are appeal proceduresâ€.
