Mum tried to cancel ex-husband’s passport for taking children on holiday with new lover
A SCORNED ex-wife tried to cancel her former husband’s passport after he took their three children and his new wife on holiday, a court heard.
Nigel Begg and his family were also confronted by armed police before flying to Turkey last June when Louise Begg, 44, claimed he took the children without her consent.
Mr Begg, 46, founder of IT firm Aspire Technology Solutions, which has 150 staff in the North-east and London, had ignored a barrage of calls, texts and emails from his ex before going to Newcastle airport, the court was told.
When police intercepted him he was allowed to fly abroad with the children after showing them texts from Begg proving she had agreed to the trip.
Police arrested Begg, of South Shields, Tyneside, who admitted harassment.
She received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 surcharge.
Paul Anderson, prosecuting, told South Tyneside magistrates court: “While they were in the departure lounge they were approached by police officers and Mr Begg was told his ex-wife had reported that he was taking the children abroad without her consent.” He said Mr Begg “thought her actions would stop him taking that flight”. He added that while in Turkey, Mr Begg was informed by UK customs “an application had been made to cancel his passport”.
Mr Anderson added that Mr Begg had received unwanted emails and texts “containing false allegations against him” after the couple split in 2013.
After the case, Mr Begg said: “It’s been three years of constant abuse. We had arranged to take the kids on holiday and she called the airport, saying I was trying to kidnap them and armed police came to the VIP lounge. It caused anguish and stress to me and the kids.”
Mr Begg added: “I do believe if a man was guilty of such atrocious harassment, he would have been dealt with more severely.”