Photographer ‘slapped’ for taking picture of Heather Mills

A PHOTOGRAPHER had his camera snatched after taking photographs of Heather Mills McCartney outside her sister’s home, it emerged yesterday.

An enraged woman, believed to be Heather’s sister, Fiona Mills, allegedly grabbed his camera from him as he took close-up shots of her hugging Heather goodbye.

The 26-year-old agency photographer alleges his arm was slapped before the £3,000 Canon camera was snatched in King’s Gardens, Hove, at around 9.30pm on Saturday night.

After police were called the camera was returned to him, minus the memory card containing the photos, he claimed. He also alleged the camera flash was damaged.

The alleged incident occurred hours after both Heather and her estranged husband Sir Paul McCartney attended their daughter Beatrice’s third birthday party at an activity centre in Hastings.

The photographer, who does not wish to be identified, said: “I was driving home from a friend’s house when I spotted Heather’s Mercedes parked on double yellow lines outside her sister’s flat.

“I thought I might as well sit there and get a picture.

“Heather finally emerged with her sister and they had a hug — it was a real moment.

“As I approached them I said ‘sorry to disturb you I’m just getting a picture’.

“Heather’s going ‘it’s my daughter’s birthday today and you lot have brought me and her to tears’.

“The sister’s saying ‘five months this has been going on...’

“I took a few pictures of her as she was screaming at me and it tipped her over the edge and she started belting and slapping my arm, she must have done it a good 20-30 times.

“She just grabbed the camera and took off. Heather said ‘give it back, give it back’ and then she drove off.

“They were both in tears.”

He called the police and his camera was retrieved.

The photographer said: “I got my camera back but without the memory card. She claimed she threw the card at me off her balcony. The police said it’s my word against hers.”

Phil Hall, spokesman for Ms Mills McCartney, said: “They’re being constantly harassed by photographers and it’s obviously wound them up.”