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Barnet Councillor Brian Coleman admits parking row attack Barnet Councillor Brian Coleman admits parking row attack
(35 minutes later)
A former Conservative mayor has admitted attacking a woman as she filmed him parking illegally in north London. An ex-Conservative mayor has admitted attacking a woman as she filmed him parking illegally on a street where he had helped introduce unpopular charges.
Brian Coleman, a Barnet councillor, admitted a charge of common assault by beating at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court.Brian Coleman, a Barnet councillor, admitted a charge of common assault by beating at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court.
The 51-year-old was arrested in September after assaulting cafe owner Helen Michael in Finchley High Road.The 51-year-old was arrested in September after assaulting cafe owner Helen Michael in Finchley High Road.
His lawyer said he had been trying to stop her filming him on a mobile phone as he parked in a loading bay.His lawyer said he had been trying to stop her filming him on a mobile phone as he parked in a loading bay.
The court heard Coleman, of Essex Road, Finchley, had helped bring in parking charges in the street which were "extremely unpopular" with local businesses. Coleman, of Essex Road in Finchley, has been ordered to pay £1,385, including a £270 fine, prosecution costs of £850 and £250 to the victim as compensation.
Miss Michael suffered injuries, including scratches to her wrist and soreness to her shoulder and chest.
'Unpopular' parking charges
A charge of careless driving against Coleman was dropped after the prosecution offered no evidence on it.
The court heard Coleman had helped bring in parking charges in the area which were "extremely unpopular" with local residents and businesses.
Miss Michael, a parking campaigner, went to film him after she was informed he had parked in a loading bay and was withdrawing money from a cash machine, the court heard.Miss Michael, a parking campaigner, went to film him after she was informed he had parked in a loading bay and was withdrawing money from a cash machine, the court heard.
The prosecution said: "He was applying one rule for himself and another for the traders."
The incident was caught on CCTV and the footage shown in the court.The incident was caught on CCTV and the footage shown in the court.
A charge of careless driving against Coleman was dropped. Sentencing Coleman, District Judge Deborah Wright said the "well-known politician" was a man of "previous good character" who had made significant contributions to society.
He was suspended by his party and stripped of his council committee duties following the charges in October. "I have no doubt that his motives were to avoid the embarrassment of the publicity," she said.
A struggle ensued and there can be "no doubt that struggle was instigated by Mr Coleman", the judge added, which led to the victim suffering a number of injuries.
In October Coleman was suspended by his party and stripped of his council committee duties following the charges in October.