AG百家乐在线官网

The Duchess of Cambridge's uncle gave his wife a "left hook" to the face, knocking her to the ground after a drunken row on the way home from a charity event, a court has heard.

Gary Goldsmith, 52, admitted attacking Julie-Ann Goldsmith outside their home in Wimpole Street, central London, on 13 October at 1.20am.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating.

Kate Shilton, prosecuting, said the couple's taxi driver Daniel Shepherd described the punch as a "left hook" which caused Mrs Goldsmith to fall to the ground.

She told the court the argument started in the back of the taxi before it escalated.

"They both got out of the taxi and he (Mr Shepherd) describes Mrs Goldsmith slapping her husband to the face," she said.

"He then describes how Mr Goldsmith punches her hard in the face using a left hook.

"Mrs Goldsmith has then fallen backwards. He says 'she appears to be unconscious, she isn't moving'."

The court was told how Mrs Goldsmith's eyes remained closed for about 15 seconds after being knocked to the ground before she woke up and staggered to her feet.

Ms Shilton said: "She (Mrs Goldsmith) then becomes upset, starts crying and uses some railings to assist her."

Goldsmith was described as becoming "panicked and walking in and out of the house, trying to get her to go back in the house".

When the taxi driver challenged Goldsmith, he became aggressive, the court heard. Mrs Goldsmith then asked the driver to call the police.

Goldsmith told officers he pushed his wife hard with his left hand and denied using a "left hook".

The court heard the defendant was apologetic for his actions. He is due to be sentenced on 21 November.

Chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot said: "I am excluding custody and looking at a community order.

"But I am really looking at how to protect this lady from this man."

Carole Middleton - Kate's mother - is the older sister of Goldsmith, who attended the weddings of the Duchess and her sister Pippa.