The millionaire's wife, the vet and a punch-up in a love rival's bedroom

A millionaire has been found guilty of assaulting his wife and his horse vet after finding them in bed together.

Douglas St George Smith denied hitting his wife, Karen, but admitted punching Peter Acton.

The 48-year-old, who owns tracts of land in and around Blackpool, met his wife eight years ago.

He had left his first partner after allegedly finding her in the arms of a friend.

He proposed to Karen, 40, on a beach on Valentine's Day dressed in a suit of armour and mounted on a white charger.

She accepted and moved into his luxury home - complete with stabling and a tennis court - in Hambleton, Lancashire.

Mrs St George Smith often rode her husband's many thoroughbred horses, which were cared for by the specialist equestrian vet.

After examining her mobile phone bill, St George Smith became suspicious that his wife was spending too much time in contact with Mr Acton.

When questioned, she told him their marriage was over and he flew into a jealous rage, Blackpool magistrates were told.

One night in June last year, St George Smith drove to Mr Acton's £400,000 home in nearby Great Plumpton.

He saw his wife's Range Rover parked in the driveway and forced his way in.

Upstairs in the bedroom he discovered them lying together on the sheets, she topless - as St George Smith claimed - and him in his boxer shorts.

The businessman launched himself at the vet.

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Giving evidence, St George Smith told the court: "The red mist must have come down and I said "Right!" and flew at Peter Acton.

"He is a big bloke, bigger than me but I dragged him across the floor.

"Karen tried to get my hand off his arm. I did not hit her or throw her although I did hit Mr Acton."

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The vet declined to press charges.

But Mrs St George Smith wanted her husband charged with common law assault by beating.

Mr Acton, a rugby player and huntsman who has ridden at the Horse of the Year show, refused to act as a witness, saying he did not want to become involved in a marital dispute.

But Mrs St George Smith insisted her husband had attacked them both.

Giving evidence, she denied having an affair with the vet or having been half-dressed, insisting she had been wearing a crop-top and skirt.

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She claimed that after punching Mr Acton her husband had grabbed her and pushed her to one side, injuring her arm.

Her husband was found guilty and fined £800, ordered to pay his wife £200 compensation and meet court costs of £400.

The couple are getting a divorce. St George Smith said outside court: "I feel betrayed.

"I had proposed to her on a white charger and thought we had a happy marriage."