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One of Britain's most flamboyant entrepreneurs is facing court for allegedly causing too much noise at his central London home.
"Lord" Edward Davenport, 43, has been accused of breaching a council noise order at his house at 33 Portland Place last year.
The Georgian property built in 1775 by Robert Adam is proclaimed as "one of the finest houses in London" and has welcomed a wealth of celebrities over the years.
Davenport has thrown parties for Vogue at the house, said to have 24 bedrooms and private nightclub.
Formerly an embassy for the government of Sierra Leone, it was bought by Davenport's company in 1999 and restored.
It now has a reputation as a "party central" with celebrities Hugh Grant and Kiera Knightley pictured with the millionaire on his website.
But following complaints from residents, Westminster council issued Davenport with a noise abatement order last year.
The socialite is accused of breaching the order on 18 May and 11 December, 2008.
Davenport was educated at Frensham Heights in Surrey and in the Eighties was the organiser of parties called "Gatecrasher Balls".
He was a millionaire by his early twenties and went on to set up the Davenport Trust from one of his homes in Monaco.
It is believed he will plead not guilty to the charges.
The case is due to be heard on 2 November at City of Westminster magistrates' court.
