A high-flying businessman who boasts of being pals with David Beckham and Gordon Ramsey launched a vicious attack on his fiancée after a night partying – using her designer Louis Vuitton handbag as a weapon.
Heidi Cook, who previously dated U2 bassist Adam Clayton, was struck in the face by violent Daniel Hart, 36, during a drunken rage the morning after the star-studded party near Leeds.
Leeds Crown Court heard that Hart – who brags of rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous – grabbed the luxury handbag from under the car armrest and lashed out as Ms Cook drove along the city’s ring road.
The bag’s metal clasp smashed into her mouth, breaking one tooth and chipping another, before a terrified Ms Cook abandoned the car and begged for help.
Police arrived and arrested Hart, who was said to be still under the influence of alcohol after the boozy party.
The court was told the pair had travelled from London to attend a party at the mansion of a famous England cricketer, where tensions simmered between the pair.
Detailing the 8am attack in September 2019, Alasdair Campbell, prosecuting said: ‘There was a party in Leeds, the complainant and defendant having driven up from London.
‘During that party there was an argument between them.
High-flying businessman Daniel Hart (left) launched a vicious attack on his fiancée Heidi Cook (right) after a night partying – using her designer Louis Vuitton handbag as a weapon
Ms Cook, who previously dated U2 bassist Adam Clayton, was struck in the face by violent Hart during a drunken rage the morning after a star-studded party near Leeds
Leeds Crown Court heard that Hart (pictured) – who brags of rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous – grabbed the luxury handbag from under the car armrest and lashed out as Ms Cook drove along the city’s ring road
Ms Cook was hit around the face with a Luis Vuitton bag like this one with such force she broke a tooth
‘As they were driving back to a hotel there was an argument on the journey that turned into violence, in the sense that she was hit to her shoulder and ultimately injured by the defendant picking up a bag that had been restrained underneath the armrest.
‘With that bag, he hit her to the face once.
‘Police attended. She had by that stage got out of the car, leaving the engine running.
‘The defendant at the scene accepted he had a massive barney with his partner.”
Hart, who runs an audiovisual company in London, denied deliberately assaulting Ms Cook but was found guilty at trial by a majority verdict.
Recalling the ordeal, Ms Cook, also from London, told the court she was glad to ‘free of Dan and his gang of shameful friends’ and thankful did not ‘lose an eye or have a head-on collision’.
She told the court how she was injured with a right hook to her arm before being hit with her clutch bag, on top of which was a metal ornament.
She said: ‘One of my front teeth has been broken but the fix didn’t hold up and I had to go back for a temporary solution. I need to have it repaired in a way which is more durable.
Recalling the ordeal, Ms Cook, also from London, told the court she was glad to ‘free of Dan and his gang of shameful friends’ and thankful did not ‘lose an eye or have a head-on collision’
She told the court Hart (above) injured her with a right hook to her arm before being hit with her clutch bag, on top of which was a metal ornament
She said: ‘One of my front teeth has been broken but the fix didn’t hold up and I had to go back for a temporary solution. I need to have it repaired in a way which is more durable’
‘At the moment the damage to my main front tooth is still visible, which is a constant reminder of the assault.
‘I’ve always taken pride in having lovely teeth and appearance is something I value.
‘I became very withdrawn, anxious and depressed. I also feel deeply anxious about my safety.
‘I’ve been left feeling incredibly vulnerable and it has made me realise how vulnerable I am against a man who would want to do harm to me.’
Addressing Hart directly in her victim impact statement, she added: ‘You hit me, you attacked me and you terrified me. It wasn’t an accident and you know that.’
She added: ‘I’ve experienced intense anxiety and depression since the attack and have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress
‘It has made me much more fearful in general. Dating especially has been difficult.
‘I worry if someone is going to become coercive, aggressive or violent. I never had any of these feelings previously.
Addressing Hart (above) directly in her victim impact statement, she added: ‘You hit me, you attacked me and you terrified me. It wasn’t an accident and you know that’
She added: ‘I’ve experienced intense anxiety and depression since the attack and have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress ‘It has made me much more fearful in general. Dating especially has been difficult’
‘My confidence has also deteriorated a lot after going through constant verbal put downs.’
Hart, who grew up in Harrogate, North Yorks, but moved to London, was supported in court by his heavily-pregnant fiancee.
The court heard he is due to become a father to a girl in August.
A web listing of Hart, who installs high tech home systems for the rich and famous, describes him as the ‘proud owner of a thriving audio-visual company’. [https://billyandkika.com/the-bridal-party/]
It adds: ‘Rubbing shoulders with A-listers like David Beckham and his good pal Gordon Ramsay is all in a day’s work for him.’
Hart, of Broomwood Road, Clapham, had previous convictions for criminal damage and assault, the court heard.
He was handed a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay compensation to Ms Cook of £1,535.
Judge Howard Crowson told Hart he hit Ms Cook with the handbag ‘like it was almost a weapon’.
Hart (above) from Clapham, south London had previous convictions for criminal damage and assault, the court heard
He was handed a 15-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay compensation to Ms Cook of £1,535
He said: ‘She was in control of a car on a busy road in Leeds and you hit her.
‘Her fear and distress is best evidenced by her leaping from the driver’s seat and abandoning the car. Members of the public were offering her assistance before the police arrived and took over.’
Hart’s barrister, Rukhshanda Hussain, defending, said the attack was ‘an impulsive act following a build up of resentment in that particular relationship’.
She added: ‘It is clear that alcohol played a part in this offending, something that rarely features in his life now.
‘He sought out therapy to deal with the issues that he has. He is someone who recognises his own faults.
‘While the defendant clearly doesn’t accept deliberate harm he does accept the majority verdict.
‘He does accept his behaviour was unacceptable.’
Speaking after the case, Ms Cook described the conviction and sentence as a ‘victory’.
