Professor ‘kicks wife in row over picture frames’
A TOP economist has been ordered to stay away from his wife after being accused of kicking and punching her during a row about picture frames.
In a previous incident police were called when they fell out over pasta.
Professor Francesco Squintani was told the restraining order was necessary to protect Leila Talani, a politics expert, from harassment.
Squintani, 46, walked free from court after denying that he assaulted 46-year-old Professor Talani and an eight-year-old boy at their £1million London home.
But although prosecutors dropped charges, District Judge James Henderson said: “There is a necessity to make a restraining order to protect your wife.”
The case followed an incident at what was their matrimonial home in Putney, south-west London, in January, Wimbledon magistrates court was told this week.
Professor Talani, head of European political economy at King’s College London, claimed her husband, head of economics at Warwick University, attacked her.
Mary Lawrenson, prosecuting, said: “There was an argument over picture frames and whether pictures should be up on the wall or not.
“During the course of the row the complainant says this defendant pushes her in such a way that she goes to the floor.”
It was alleged that Professor Talani banged her head and received a punch and a kick from her husband and the young boy was pushed. She said she suffered pain to her head from the bump and to her upper body from the kick.
“There have been previous police call-outs to the address as a result of rows, including one when the wife was giving away pasta to charity,” the court heard.
“The complainant is content with the restraining order and it is to protect both parties.”
Squintani, who now lives in Warwick, is the author of several publications on economics. Professor Talani is also a published author.