Jurors 'must put aside sympathies' for philanthropist in dangerous driving trial
Jurors have been urged to put aside any "sympathies" they might have for a millionaire philanthropist accused of driving off as a police officer clung to the steering wheel of his supercar.
Sir Harry Djanogly, 77, denies one count of dangerous driving and one of assault at Isleworth Crown Court.
The textile manufacturer, from Angel Court, off Pall Mall, London, was allegedly clocked driving his Jaguar XK at around 70mph in a 50mph zone on the A40 near Acton, west London on December 27 2014.
A police sergeant, Robert McDonald, suffered leg injuries after trying to get him to stop the car, having pulled him over for speeding.
During his evidence, Sir Harry did not deny speeding but said his driving had not been dangerous.
He said he had been taking his wife of 52 years, Lady Carol Djanogly, to St John and St Elizabeth private hospital as he "honestly believed that her life was in danger".
He fought back tears as he described how health problems, including emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), had meant she had been in and out of hospital and intensive care units for the previous five years.
But prosecutor David Malone said that while the jury may have "understandable sympathies" with the defendant, "emotion will not assist" them.
He said Sir Harry refused to stop for police because "wild horses would not have stopped him going to that hospital".
Mr McDonald had been "fearing for his life" as he clung to the car, he added.
But Robert Gibbs QC, defending, claimed the officer may have exaggerated in his recollection of the incident.
Judge Richard McGregor-Johnson also told the jury they should be "unswayed" by emotional evidence as they retired to consider their verdicts.
Sir Harry is thought to have a personal fortune of an estimated £300 million and, together with his wife, has helped the V&A, Tate and the Chickenshed theatre company. Sir Harry's son Jonathan Djanogly, 50, is the Conservative MP for Huntingdon.
