'Hewitt is a liar' says judge
James Hewitt, the former lover of Diana, Princess of Wales, has been branded a "liar" by a judge as he refused the ex-soldier's bid to have his gun licences returned.
He said Hewitt who was arrested earlier this year for cocaine possession, had "flagrantly abused the privilege" that came with being allowed to possess shotguns and rifles.
After hearing how the "drunken" 46-year-old had left one of his weapons on his living room floor, Judge Charles Byers said he had a duty to maintain the "high security" at all times, particularly as he was someone in the "public gaze".
One of the most "troubling" aspects was that he had allowed one of his friends to use the 16 bore on a number of occasions, when the law required that it be kept in a gunsmith's locked steel cabinet when he did not need it.
Furthermore, Hewitt had been "less than frank in his interview with police".
The judge then paused before adding: "Moreover, we are satisfied he lied to the police.
"If someone lies to the police during the course of their interview, particularly when they have the benefit of legal advice, then we can only be driven to the irresistible conclusion that he is a person likely to lie when it suits him to do so."
Therefore, in his view, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner had been "beyond criticism" when he "boldly and correctly" decided to bring an otherwise unblemished 29-year history of holding gun licenses to an end.
Earlier, London's Blackfriars Crown Court had heard how the retired major - who became infamous as the man who romanced Diana and later told all - had been described by police as posing a "danger to the public peace and safety" should his firearm certificate and shotgun license ever be returned to him.
James Rankin, appearing on behalf of the commissioner, warned: "A drunken man with a gun is capable of being very dangerous." He said the ex-cavalry officer had shown he was capable of "irresponsible and uncontrolled behaviour" and "lacked proper self-control".
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