Otis Ferry denies 'witness nobbling'
Rock star's son Otis Ferry today denied perverting the course of justice in Gloucester.
The 25-year-old countryside campaigner, of Easton Mascot, Shropshire, son of Roxy Music singer Bryan Ferry, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court for a plea hearing this morning.
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Dressed in a blue suit and green jumper, Ferry pleaded not guilty to two charges of perverting the course of justice. It was the first time he had entered formal pleas to the allegations.
It is alleged Ferry approached witnesses in connection with other charges he faces.
After a failed bail application, Judge Martin Picton remanded Ferry, who has been on remand in HMP Gloucester since September, in custody to face trial at Gloucester Crown Court on March 9.
Ferry is alleged to have robbed and assaulted a hunt monitor last year as she filmed him at his sport.
The incident is alleged to have taken place while Ferry was with the Heythrop Hunt, which covers Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
The robbery and assault trial failed to get off the ground in September when allegations of "witness nobbling" emerged.
He was subsequently charged with two counts of perverting the course of justice.
It is alleged he approached a witness – former groomsman David Hodgkiss - involved in the robbery and assault allegations.
Judge Picton told Ferry's counsel it would be "inappropriate" to grant Ferry bail at this stage as investigations were still ongoing.
A dozen supporters – including Ferry's mother, former model Lucy Helmore, and his girlfriend, Francesca Nimmo – filled the public gallery at today's hearing.
Nimmo, a student at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, was recently arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
The 22-year-old was held by Gloucestershire Police at her home in Lower Bodington, Northamptonshire, last month.
Countryside Alliance official Adrian Simpson, 53, of Haverfordwest, Dyfed, West Wales, was also arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
Nimmo and Simpson have both been granted bail until January 28.
2 Comments
by jessica jones, bath
Thursday, December 04 2008, 10:21AM
“KEEP HIM LOCKED UP !”
by Charles Henry, Somerset
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 10:32PM
“What a disgraceful state of affairs. . We now have a Labour Government and a Police State. . If this man was guilty of any offence, which is most unlikely. . Prison is not the appropriate place. . We have REAL criminals being released and roaming the streets, because of lack of prison places. . Damion Green's arrest also serves to highlight what is happening. . Heads must roll. . This is supposed to be a democracy.”