Kate Middleton's uncle admits punching wife in face after night of drinking

Gary Goldsmith, 52, admitted assaulting wife Julie-Ann as they arrived by taxi at their central London home
Victoria Jones/PA
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The Duchess of Cambridge’s uncle has admitted punching his wife in the face after a night drinking at a charity event.

Gary Goldsmith assaulted Julie-Ann, leaving her unconscious, as they arrived by taxi at their central London home. They had spent the evening at the Home House private members’ club in Portman Square, Marylebone.

Mrs Goldsmith fell to the floor after the blow, described by the taxi driver as a “left hook” that left her unconscious for several seconds.

Goldsmith, 52, appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court this morning to plead guilty to assault. He was freed on bail until a sentencing hearing on November 21.

Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot told a probation officer who will assess him: “I’m really looking at how to protect this lady from this man in the future, so it doesn’t happen again.”

Goldsmith will be sentenced on November 21 (Victoria Jones/PA )
Victoria Jones/PA

Prosecutor Kate Shilton said the attack happened at about 1.20am on October 13. She said: “An argument took place during the taxi ride, Mr Goldsmith began to shout at her and both parties were drunk, having been drinking throughout the evening. Mrs Goldsmith said she couldn’t recall how it happened but her husband punched her in the face with a closed fist to the left side of her face. She was knocked straight to the floor and hit the back of her head on the floor.”

The taxi driver, Daniel Shepherd, told police that he saw Mrs Goldsmith, 47, slap her husband in the face before Goldsmith delivered a “left hook” to knock her down to the pavement.

Mr Shepherd said he rushed to Mrs Goldsmith’s aid as she came round and called police but Goldsmith then started to become aggressive. The driver said he told him “whoa mate, you can’t do that” and added: “Are you going to start on me now?”

Goldsmith, who was arrested on the night, apologised for his actions and said he was “humbled”. He pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

The businessman has a reported £30 million fortune after making his wealth in IT recruitment.

He is the younger brother of Carole Middleton and was one of the guests at his niece’s wedding to Prince William in 2011. He was also a guest at his niece Pippa Middleton’s wedding to James Matthews in May this year.

He has been dubbed the “black sheep” of the family but has insisted: “People like to think I’m a bad boy. I’m not really.”

Chief Magistrate Arbuthnot said she would adjourn sentencing for Goldsmith to be interviewed by probation officers. Under the terms of his bail, he must not go to his Marylebone home or contact his wife. An application for a restraining order will be considered at the next hearing.

Mr Goldsmith was exposed in a tabloid newspaper story in 2009 in which he was shown apparently preparing cocaine at his villa in Ibiza — named La Maison de Bang Bang — and boasting of his connections with the royal family.

He was never charged with any offence and later claimed that he had been “manipulated and set up”.

Mrs Goldsmith, formerly Julie-Ann Brown, is his fourth wife. The couple married in 2012.

Describing his pride at seeing his niece marry Prince William, Goldsmith has said: “She is this confident, clever, caring girl who has taken her responsibilities in marriage and job incredible seriously.”

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