Daughter of Second World War fighter pilot hauled before court for assaulting teenager 'who vandalised war memorial'

The daughter of a Second World War fighter pilot grabbed a teenager by the neck because she believed he vandalised a war memorial, a court heard today.

Julie Lake, 50, is alleged to have assaulted the boy near a remembrance cross in Mangotsfield, near Bristol, last year, before picking up his friend's BMX bike and hurling it in the road.

She is also accused of punching another teenager in the stomach shortly after, the court heard.

Ms Lake denies two charges of assault, one of criminal damage and one public order offence.

But North Avon Magistrates Court today heard Lake, represented by celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman, was attempting a citizen's arrest on the 15-year-old after she thought she saw him ride his bike through the memorial flowerbed.

Appearing by video-link, the boy, who denied causing any damage to the memorial, described the alleged assault outside a Tesco supermarket on December 11 2007.

He said: 'I was sat on the bike facing across the road and from behind she (Julie Lake) grabbed me.

'She had her hands on my shoulder. I then turned round to see who it was, and she grabbed me round the collar, round my neck.'

He went on: 'I walked round a car and she started to follow me. I asked her what she was doing.

'She said I was a dead man and a marked man. She was quite aggressive and she was shouting.'

The witness said Lake then picked up his friend's orange BMX, which he was watching as the owner shopped in the supermarket.

He said: 'She picked it up quite high and she said something on the lines of "see how you like having your stuff vandalised" but not those exact words.'

Lake, dressed in a black suit and white shirt, broke down in tears as her solicitor cross-examined the alleged victim.

Manchester-based Mr Freeman, who offered his services free-of-charge, said: 'Are you suggesting this incident is an entire mystery to you?'

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, replied: 'I just think she got the wrong person.'

A dozen elderly members of the British Legion, some dressed in full uniform, sat at the back of court supporting Lake.

Mr Freeman, whose previous clients include David Beckham, Jeremy Clarkson and Sir Alex Ferguson, went on: 'Does the war memorial mean anything to you?'

The boy replied: 'Not really. But I wouldn't damage it, it's disrespectful.'

Mr Freeman then asked: 'Do you know what it's there for?'

The boy replied: 'I'm guessing it's there for people who died in the war.'

Mr Freeman said: 'Did you hear the group threatening to kill Julie Lake's dogs? Did you hear them jeering and laughing at her?'

He added: 'The truth is you're not the victim, Julie Lake is the victim. She tried to arrest you and your friends gathered round her and threatened her and her dogs.'

The boy replied: 'No she didn't try to arrest me, she attacked me.'

The case continues.