My love cheating, by TV chief who denies hitmen bid to kill his partner
A TV producer accused of trying to hire hitmen to kill his long-time partner admitted cheating on her with two women, a court heard yesterday.
David Harris, 68, was naked and in bed with his 28-year-old lover when he was arrested by police at a hotel.
When questioned by detectives, Harris confessed to having a fling with a nurse about five years before, the Old Bailey was told.
Harris is accused of approaching three would-be “assassins” to kill his partner of 30 years – scriptwriter Hazel Allinson.
He was allegedly after her fortune, including her £800,000 house, and willing to pay the killer up to £250,000, the court heard.
Bugged
But Harris, who worked on ITV’s police drama The Bill for 18 years, insists he was researching a crime novel and had no intention of having Ms Allinson killed.
After his arrest Harris was asked if Ms Allinson knew of his affair with Lithuanian Ugne Cekaviciute.
The TV producer replied: “She found out about an extra-marital affair some four or five years ago.
“She wasn’t happy, but didn’t want to end the relationship.
“She wanted to build on it.”
Harris was with Ms Cekaviciute when he was arrested Christopher May, left, and Duke Dean were ‘asked to be hitmen’ Accused... David Harris last November at a hotel in Balham, south London, the court heard.
Eight months before he allegedly approached mechanic Christopher May and offered him up to £250,000 to murder Ms Allinson.
Mr May realised Harris was serious and tried to warn the scriptwriter, jurors were told.
Harris then turned to Duke Dean, known to his friends as Zed, the court heard. But Mr Dean alerted detectives at City of London Police.
A sting operation was set up and Harris was introduced to an undercover officer known only as Chris.
Moments after they met the TV producer patted down Chris in case he was wearing a wire, the court heard.
But he did not realise the car they were sitting in was bugged, the jury was told. All three would-be assassins were offered a modest down-payment with the bulk of the payment coming from 69-year-old Ms Allinson’s estate, it was alleged.
But Harris insisted he was working on an “imaginary scenario” and wanted to write a bestseller.
He claimed he wanted to carry out research in the underworld after hearing how award-winning author Frederick Forsyth had met an arms dealer while preparing a book.
Harris, of Amberley, West Sussex, denies three counts of soliciting to murder. The trial continues.