• Germany edition
Photo: DPA

Prince Ernst August fined €200,000 for slap attack

Published: 9 Mar 10 14:51 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20100309-25765.html

A German court fined Princess Caroline of Monaco's husband, Prince Ernst August of Hanover, €200,000 on Tuesday for causing actual bodily harm to a hotel manager.

At an earlier trial in 2004, the prince, 56, a distant relation of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, was found guilty of grievous bodily harm and fined €445,000.

But a new trial was granted after Caroline corroborated his account of the 2000 incident on the Kenyan resort island of Lamu, with the aristocrat seeking a complete acquittal.

The prince had told the new trial in Hildesheim through his lawyer that he had given Josef Brunlehner "two symbolic slaps" because he was annoyed about the noise and laser show at his hotel disco.

"One for the music and one for the lights," he had said.

But he said that accusations that he then beat up Brunlehner, a German national, under the influence of alcohol were "grotesque inventions and lies."

The defence said Brunlehner massively exaggerated his injuries.

"The court was not in a position to be able to decide between the two versions," judge Andreas Schlüter said on Tuesday.

"He dealt Brunlehner two powerful clips round the ear in quick succession. Not the done thing, but not unrestrainedly violent either."

He added: "There is no victor here. All those involved are on the losing side."

The prince married Caroline, the daughter of actress Grace Kelly and Rainier III of Monaco, in 1999. He was not present in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered.

Caroline, 53, testified in mid-January.

AFP (news@thelocal.de)

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18:35 March 9, 2010 by Prufrock2010
I guess extortion works through the German court system as well. From what I know of the facts, this whole thing was a setup. The alleged "victim" showed up in a hospital emergency room for 10 minutes to document his nonexistent injuries. No wonder the "victim" chose to sue in a German venue, when all the eye witnesses disputed his account of events. Other than Caroline, they were not available to testify. If the judge was not able to "decide between the two versions" of the story, he has no business being a judge.
00:25 March 10, 2010 by till.eulenspiegel
How very charming! How "Old World"!!

A slap, no less, a REGAL tap on the kisser. My my, so very heartwarming to see old aristocratic attitudes live on (stagger on). No gunplay, no switchblades.

His Royal Highness should, however, seriously consider cutting back on the Wienerschnitzel, Weisswurst, beer and dumplings, before he bursts from the pressure. Not a pretty picture. How many years since he has even seen his royal appendage?

Burp.Slap. Loud music, boo. Princess: tee-hee, action. More fun than when Grace went over the cliff, Cliff.

(Just don't try that exchange in so many other countries, pal. You'll get a 9mm stuck in your plump belly).

t.e.
08:39 March 10, 2010 by Victor Scicluna
As far as i know German titles were abolished back in 1913 and his name is now Prince Ernst August ... which means Prince is not a title but just part of his name.

Therefore he is not an atritocrat but a commoner like the rest of us. Germans need to realise you cannot have a Republic and at the same time princes, dukes and so on .............................

His wife is a princess as she is part of a monarchy.

He is just someone hanging on to a distant past ....................
11:06 March 10, 2010 by dbert4
The guy has the reputation for being the Naomi Campbell of the royal jet set.

Since his victims usually are tabloid photographers, no one tends to think badly of him.

And his wife is still pretty hot.
23:12 March 12, 2010 by till.eulenspiegel
Victor S. observed "As far as i know German titles were abolished back in 1913 and his name is now Prince Ernst August ... which means Prince is not a title but just part of his name".

Oh, now I get it. "Here, Prince! Here Prince! Good boy, fetch this!"

woof.

/slashies/

fark.com
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