Veteran's daughter denies assault

The daughter of a World War II fighter pilot grabbed a teenager by the neck because she believed he had vandalised a war memorial, a court has heard. Julie Lake, 50, is alleged to have assaulted the 15-year-old boy near a remembrance cross in Mangotsfield, South Gloucestershire, last year. Ms Lake, from Mangotsfield, denies two charges of assault, one of criminal damage and one public order offence. The boy told North Avon Magistrates Court he had not caused any damage. Memorial flowerbed The court heard Ms Lake, represented by lawyer Nick Freeman, was attempting a citizen's arrest on the 15-year-old after she thought she saw him ride his bike through the memorial flowerbed. She is alleged to have assaulted the boy near a remembrance cross before picking up his friend's BMX bike and hurling it in the road. Ms Lake is also... [read full story]