Nigella Lawson told 'you trashed your daughter's life' by ex-husband Charles Saatchi, court hears

Nigella Lawson is a “habitual” cocaine user who “trashed” her daughter’s life by allowing her to take drugs, a court hears

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Nigella Lawson: Charles Saatchi had a 'temper' and would 'shout and swear'

By Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter

1:44PM GMT 04 Dec 2013

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Nigella Lawson confided in an aide that Charles Saatchi had a "temper" and that she had contemplated leaving him some time before they finally separated, a court has heard.

Miss Lawson told Elisabetta Grillo that "I don't know how long I can take this" because Mr Saatchi would "shout and swear" at her.

A court sketch showing TV cook Nigella Lawson giving evidence at Isleworth Crown Court (PA)

Details of the couple's marriage were set out before a jury in the case of Miss Grillo and her sister Francesca, who together face charges that they defrauded Mr Saatchi out of £685,000 spent on his credit cards.

Giving evidence for the prosecution at Isleworth Crown Court, Miss Lawson was asked by Anthony Metzer QC, defending Elisabetta Grillo, if she had told his client about the problems in her marriage and if she "contemplated leaving him".

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She said: "I would say 'I don't know how long I can take this' but I never made plans to leave him. He did lose his temper sometimes."

Charles Saatchi arrives at Isleworth Crown Court (Getty Images)

Asked if Mr Saatchi used to "shout and swear" at her, she said he did, and Miss Grillo may well have heard their rows.

Mr Metzer asked if her background "conflicted" with Mr Saatchi's as her lifestyle was more bohemian.

She replied: "I don't understand why my marriage is pertinent to you."

Mr Metzer also referred to the couple's "unfortunate" divorce in July, to which she retorted: "I wouldn't say unfortunately."

Miss Lawson confirmed that she spent time with Mr Saatchi before the death of her late husband John Diamond, but said it was with Mr Diamond's blessing and on one occasion they all went on holiday together.

Elisabetta (L) and Francesca Grillo arrive at Isleworth Crown Court (Reuters)

She said Mr Saatchi liked the Grillo sisters to take their holidays separately so that one of them would always be "on duty", though they would sometimes return to their native Italy together at Christmas.

She said: "I think it didn't altogether please Mr Saatchi but I did try to explain to him that it was Christmas."

Mr Metzer referred to her children by their first names, but she said: "Do my children have to be referred to by name? Can they just be referred to as my son and daughter?" Mr Metzer agreed.

Miss Lawson also objected strongly to a suggestion from Mr Metzer that Elisabetta Grillo had acted as a "surrogate mother" to her children when Mr Diamond was dying.

She said: "My children were hurt to the quick when they saw that (written on an internet blog alongside allegations that she took cocaine). They don't need a surrogate mother.

"It's meant to aggrandise your client and suggest that I was not there to raise my children."

She added that her children felt "abandoned and betrayed" by the defendants because they "never once got in touch" after their arrest.

The court heard that Elisabetta Grillo lived in the marital home and had a bigger bedroom even than Miss Lawson and Mr Saatchi.

Charles Saatchi and Nigella Lawson (REX)

She was also paid to clean the flat of Miss Lawson's father, the former chancellor Lord Lawson, and brought his sheets back to be washed because he did not have a washing machine. Miss Grillo was allowed to take taxis to his flat because she had to take a vacuum cleaner with her, as he did not have one of those either.

Mr Metzer suggested that the Grillo sisters had to buy themselves expensive clothes because they met many celebrity friends of Miss Lawson and had to look presentable.

Miss Lawson suggested Mr Metzer was "obsessed" with celebrities and added: "I'm afraid to say I very often don't look presentable. She is Italian, she looked a lot more presentable than I did."

Miss Lawson was asked about her team of personal assistants, known as "team Nigella", and said: "No, they refer to themselves as team cupcake."

She confirmed that the aides were often given lavish gifts as a reward for their hard work and loyalty. Elisabetta Grillo was given gifts including a Hermes watch and a Diamond necklace from Tiffany's, while another aide put her £12,500 wedding reception at the Saatchi Gallery on Mr Saatchi's credit card after being told the couple would foot the bill.

But aides, and even Miss Lawson herself, were never allowed to withdraw cash on the credit cards because "Charles kept a huge stash it above the fridge".

Miss Lawson said: "He put it in a lunch zippy freezer bag above the fridge. I think he did like a huge wad of cash because he didn't like to use credit cards himself."

Elisabetta and Francesca Grillo deny fraud. The trial continues.

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Beyond Creepy! Uncovered Video of Charles Manson’s 25-Year-Old Fiancée

November 22, 2013 Couples News

If you weren’t creeped out to learn that Charles Manson was planning to marry his 25-year-old girlfriend, just watch this video!

His fiancée, Star, defends Manson, asking why everyone thinks he’s a crazy serial killer and then blaming TV for all the lies.
 
When it comes to his trial for the 1969 murders of actress Sharon Tate and others, she says you don’t have to be a lawyer to see that “Charles Manson was railroaded” by the courts. She goes on and on about it, see for yourself.
 
The couple’s wedding news broke on Thursday, courtesy of Rolling Stone, who spoke with the happy pair.
 
“I’ll tell you straight up, Charlie and I are going to get married,” said the bride-to-be.
 
Star sounds like a catch for any senior citizen serial killer… the mag says she “comes from a town on the Mississippi River, was raised a Baptist, keeps a tidy home, is a prim dresser, has a fun sense of humor.”
 
Charlie’s girlfriend, who lives near Corcoran State Prison where he is serving a life sentence, gives him a kiss at the beginning and end of each visit, and even carved an X into her forehead in support of her man. He had one too, until he made it into a swastika. See pics of the couple here.
 
Says the bride, “People can think I’m crazy. But they don’t know. This is what’s right for me. This is what I was born for.”
 
Manson has been imprisoned for nearly 45 years for his involvement in a series of 1969 slayings, which included starlet Sharon Tate, who was expecting a child with director husband Roman Polanski. Related Posts Say It Ain’t So

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Say It Ain’t So… Charles Manson to Marry 25-Year-Old Hottie?

November 21, 2013 National News

It’s the most disturbing couples story of the day… Charles Manson, 79, is getting married to a 25-year-old hottie named “Star.” What’s even creepier? She looks just like late Manson family member Susan Atkins.

The wedding news comes courtesy of Rolling Stone, who spoke with the happy pair. “I’ll tell you straight up, Charlie and I are going to get married,” said the bride-to-be.
 
Star sounds like a catch for any senior citizen serial killer… the mag says she “comes from a town on the Mississippi River, was raised a Baptist, keeps a tidy home, is a prim dresser, has a fun sense of humor.”
 
Charlie’s girlfriend, who lives near Corcoran State Prison where he is serving a life sentence, gives him a kiss at the beginning and end of each visit, and even carved an X into her forehead in support of her man. He had one too, until he made it into a swastika. See pics of the couple here.
 
Says the bride, “People can think I’m crazy. But they don’t know. This is what’s right for me. This is what I was born for.”
 
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Prince Charles ready for pension, still in line for throne

By Gregory Katz Associated Press Wed Nov 13, 2013 2:45 PM

LONDON — Prince Charles plans to claim the government pension he qualifies for when he turns 65 on Thursday, but he still hasn't started the job he was born to do.

The eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II has been heir to the throne since his mother became monarch in 1952, when he was 3. He is the longest-waiting heir apparent in Britain's history, overtaking Queen Victoria's son, Edward VII, two years ago.

Charles became a grandfather earlier this year with the birth of Prince George, the first child born to Prince William and his wife, Kate.

Palace officials said Wednesday that Charles will contribute the government pension to a charity that helps elderly people.

The future king is entitled to about 110 pounds ($175) per week because of his service in the Royal Navy and voluntary contributions he has made.

As Prince of Wales, he certainly doesn't need the pension fund. He enjoys control of the lucrative Duchy of Cornwall, a vast holding established in 1337 by King Edward II to provide income for his heir. It brings Charles millions each year.

The prince, who is accompanied by his wife, Camilla, will mark his milestone birthday representing his mother at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Sri Lanka after spending part of the day in India.

For decades, the queen has attended the meeting, and Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said that Charles saw taking her place as "quite a momentous occasion."

Stepping in for the queen has become more common in recent years as Elizabeth, 87, has greatly reduced her international travel. Her husband, Prince Philip, 92, has also reduced his public appearances following a series of medical setbacks.

Over his decades as heir, Charles has become known for his strong opinions on topics such as education, architecture, religion, the environment, organic food and homeopathy.

Little said the prince was enjoying his relative freedom to speak out before he becomes king, a role that will require him to be much more cautious in his pronouncements.

"I think he's very much making use of the time available to him in that he can put forward theories and get things done that he won't be able to do when he becomes king," said Little.

Charles has also celebrated his birthday by serving as guest editor of a special edition of Country Life magazine, which shares his enthusiasm for preserving Britain's rural areas.

Charles used his stint in the editor's chair to upbraid supermarket chains for taking advantage of Britain's small farmers and said Britain's farming heritage is at risk.

In an editorial column, he called the countryside "the unacknowledged backbone of our national identity."

In recent years, Charles has also criticized financial companies which he says focus on short-term gains at the expense of the environment.

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