Campbell pleads guilty to assault

BBC News

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has pleaded guilty to assaulting two police officers at Heathrow Airport.

Ms Campbell, 38, was removed from a BA flight bound for Los Angeles at Heathrow's Terminal 5 on 3 April.

Wearing a dark suit and sunglasses, she faced a media scrum as she arrived in a Mercedes for her appearance at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court.

The charge of assaulting a constable carries a maximum six-month prison sentence and a fine of up to £5,000

The prosecution said problems started on the aircraft when Ms Campbell was told an item that belonged to her was among luggage which had gone missing.

Melanie Parrish, prosecuting, told the court Ms Campbell was travelling first class and was initially very friendly.

The aircraft's captain Miles Sutherland had been told that not all the luggage had been put on the plane because of teething problems at the new terminal.

Naomi Campbell admitted in court to a total of six charges

Miss Parrish said: "Miss Campbell, having heard this, approached the cabin crew and asked them to make inquiries about the state of her baggage.

"Regrettably it was confirmed one of her items was one of those not loaded.

"Having heard that Miss Campbell had been affected by the baggage difficulties, he [Captain Sutherland] took the unusual decision to come and speak with her and explain the situation and make his apologies."

The court was told Ms Campbell became upset and demanded to know where her bag was.

Ms Campbell swore at the captain and said she wanted him to get off the plane and get her bag.

As the captain walked away, Ms Campbell said: "You are a racist, you wouldn't be doing this if I was white."

Guilty pleas

Ms Campbell admitted three counts of assaulting a constable and one count of disorderly conduct likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

She also pleaded guilty to two counts of using threatening, abusive words or behaviour to cabin crew.

Before the hearing, Ms Campbell's spokesman Alan Edwards said: "She feels what happened was regrettable and she has come to court today to put her side of the story."

Her lawyer Simon Nicholls has said the model was "bitterly disappointed" to discover she would be prosecuted.

The court was adjourned while sentencing was considered.