MP son’s £3k bill for headbutting photographer
THE son of MP Mike Hancock was yesterday ordered to carry out 200 hours of voluntary work and pay £2950 in compensation and court costs for head-butting a Daily Express photographer.
Dean Hancock attacked Steve Reigate, 45, outside his father’s house in Fareham, Hants, as the Press tried to get a picture of Mike Hancock who was being sued by a woman who claimed the MP for Portsmouth South had sexually assaulted her.
District Judge Anne Arnold said at Portsmouth Magistrates Court the January attack – which left Mr Reigate with a split lip and bleeding nose – was a “red mist situation”.
Hancock, 38, was convicted of actual bodily harm and criminal damage to a camera lens and flashgun earlier this month. Mr Reigate told the trial: “I was prepared to be called something unpleasant... instead Mr Hancock head-butted me in the face.” Mike Hancock, 68, has since settled his court action.