KATE’S HORROR AT WIFE BEATER UNCLE
Duchess in turmoil after her mum’s brother admits drunken street attack
KATE Middleton faced family embarrassment yesterday as her uncle appeared in court for a street attack on his wife.
Gary Goldsmith, 52, admitted knocking out Julie-Ann during a boozy row and could now be banned from being near her.
One royal observer said: “Kate will be upset by this.”
AS Kate Middleton brought a smile to the faces of disadvantaged children on a royal visit yesterday, her uncle was just a few miles way bringing shame on their family.
Millionaire Gary Goldsmith appeared in court where he admitted knocking out wife Julie-Ann in a boozy street row.
The 52-year-old, once caught up in a drugs and hookers scandal, escaped jail for the attack but a judge could ban him from seeing her after she claimed the attack was not a one-off. He was bailed with the condition that he does not go near his wife or their home.
Pregnant Kate, 35, showed no sign of the turmoil her uncle’s violent behaviour has no doubt caused as she toured the Family Action children’s home in Islington, North London.
But one royal observer said: “I can’t imagine she’s not upset by what happened, by what he’s done.
“But she certainly wouldn’t be talking about it openly and wouldn’t let her guard down or display any true feelings. She has gone out today, this didn’t stop her doing what she has to do.”
Four-times married Goldsmith, said to be worth £30million, appeared at Westminster magistrates charged with assault by beating.
He had been to a charity party with Julie-Ann, 47, in London when the pair started to argue in the back of a taxi.
After cabbie Daniel Shepherd dropped them off at their Marylebone home he saw Julie-Ann slap her husband in the face. Goldsmith, who is Kate’s mum’s brother, then landed a left hook on his wife of five years, which floored her. Prosecutor Kate Shilton said: “She remains on the floor with her eyes closed for 15 seconds. She asks Mr Shepherd to call the police.
“Mr Goldsmith then turns his aggression towards him. Mr Shepherd says, ‘What, are you going start on me now?’ Police arrived shortly afterwards.” Julie-Ann was taken to hospital but discharged without treatment. But the court was shown pictures of her bruised face. Chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot said: “I have read [Julie-Ann’s] statement. There are previous allegations she is making. According to her it is not a complete one-off. I need to know more. I am excluding custody, I am looking at a community order but I am looking at how to protect this lady from this man so it doesn’t happen again.” Goldsmith will be sentenced next Tuesday. He refused to comment as he left the court after an hour-long interview with the Probation Service. Julie-Ann also had nothing to say when approached outside their home. Eight years ago, Goldsmith brought shame on the family when he was caught with drugs and prostitutes at his Ibiza villa.