Justin Lee Collins found guilty
Television presenter Justin Lee Collins was found guilty of harassing his former partner, Anna Larke, by a jury at St Albans Crown Court today.
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Jury deliberating Collins verdict
Justin Lee Collins rules out appeal
Justin Lee Collins has ruled out an appeal against his conviction for harassing ex-girlfriend Anna Larke.
The comedian and television presenter from Kew in West London was found guilty of harassment by a jury at St Albans Crown Court yesterday. Afterwards, he was photographed laughing.
Today he denied that the snaps were a reflection of his current mood.
He said: "I deeply regret the distress and anguish I have caused by my behaviour in what was a very troubled and difficult relationship with Anna Larke.
"After careful reflection in the last 24 hours I have decided not to proceed with an appeal against my conviction.
"I would like to re-iterate what I made clear in court, that I have never used or threatened violence against Anna Larke or anybody in my life.
"I accept that the jury have found elements of my conduct amounted to harassment which I apologise for unreservedly, but I will never accept the allegation that I am violent or an abuser."
Justin Lee Collins pulls out of Prince's Trust gala
Justin Lee Collins has pulled out of a gala performance at the Royal Albert Hall.
He had been due to perform at the Prince's Trust "We Are Most Amused" show in at the end of November, with stars such as Rowan Atkinson and Jimmy Carr.
A Prince's Trust spokeswoman said: "Justin Lee Collins has taken the decision not to perform at the charity comedy gala at the Royal Albert Hall this November."
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Victim's family release statement following Lee Collins verdict
Ms Larke's family released a statement describing their relief at the verdict.
It said:
"We are absolutely ecstatic with the verdict and are relieved the jury were able to see through the lies of an abuser.
"We will not rest on our laurels in the wake of this good news and intend to go out into the world and use this experience to empower women to stand up to domestic abuse.
"We will also be campaigning to have emotional abuse properly recognised in law and do our utmost to end the much reported culture of celebrities using their positions to abuse people without fear of reprisal."
Justin Lee Collins found guilty of harassment
Comedian and television presenter Justin Lee Collins, 38, has been found guilty of harassing his former partner.
Read the full storyJustin Lee Collins guilty of harassment
Television presenter Justin Lee Collins was found guilty of harassing his former partner, Anna Larke, by a jury at St Albans Crown Court today.
Jury deliberating Collins verdict
A jury has begun its second day of deliberations in the trial of television presenter Justin Lee Collins.
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Jury considers verdict in TV presenter's trial
The jury in the trial of TV presenter Justin Lee Collins has retired to consider its verdict after a 10 day trial at St Albans Crown Court.
He has been accused of harassing his ex-girlfriend Anna Larke. Collins denies the charge, saying that she was jealous and obsessive.
Collins used ex-girlfriend's past as 'rock'
Television presenter Justin Lee Collins used details of his ex-girlfriend's sexual past as a "rock" with which to harm her, a court heard.
Collins, 38, had a seven-month relationship with video games public relations worker Anna Larke, who is accusing him of harassment.
He denies the charge.
Click here for the latest on the trial.
Collins trial to resume tomorrow
The performer's agent, Peter Bennett-Jones, who owns his own management company, described his client as "an extraordinarily polite individual professionally".
Mr Bennett-Jones, who is chairman of Comic Relief, a governor of Rugby School and a trustee of the National Theatre, added that Collins had a "polite, respectful nature with everybody he has worked with".
"The behaviour I have read about and has been reported is inconsistent," he said, but acknowledged that he had not heard the recording of Collins's row with Ms Larke.
The trial will resume at 10am tomorrow when counsel will make closing speeches and Judge John Plumstead will sum up.
Collins phone analysed
The jury wrote down more than a dozen questions for the defendant this afternoon.
They spotted that in response to Ms Larke's 103 text messages, Collins had replied with 114, and signed off: "Speak tomorrow, gorgeous."
Asked to explain, he said ignoring her texts did not work, and: "I still had feelings for her, I still loved her."
The court has heard Collins refer to "blacks" and "chinks" and Ms Larke alleged he had "a problem with people of colour".
He denied that and today said: "Anna would use racist terminology if she could."