War veteran's daughter is guilty

After the hearing Julie Lake said that she respected the judge's decision

The daughter of a World War II pilot has been convicted of common assault on a teenager she thought was vandalising a war memorial near her home.

Julie Lake, 50, grabbed the 15-year-old boy near a remembrance cross in Mangotsfield, South Gloucestershire.

Lake was given a 12-month conditional discharge with £400 costs after she was also found guilty of criminal damage to a bike in December 2007.

The local Royal British Legion gave her a guard of honour at the trial's start.

She was represented by the lawyer Nick Freeman, who is known as "Mr Loophole" and is famous for defending celebrities on driving charges.

Mr Freeman said that he wanted to act for Ms Lake on a point of principle and that he expected no payment from her.

'Marked man'

The court heard that Lake tried to make a citizen's arrest on the teenage boy when she thought she saw him ride his bike through the memorial flower bed.

The teenager spoke via a video-link and told the court: "She said I was a dead man and a marked man. She was quite aggressive and she was shouting."

Mr Freeman suggested that Lake was made a "victim" by the boys for attempting to perform her public duty.

In a statement, the mother of one of the boys said: "Her actions have effectively driven a divide between innocent well-mannered young people and the Royal British Legion who they look up to and respect.

"While I appreciate the Royal British Legion are keen to mark the importance of the memorial, I find it surprising that they have chosen to support Mrs Lake throughout this incident."

Ian Drury, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "Although we welcome support from community-mindful people we can not condone anyone taking the law into their own hands."

Lake was cleared of a second common assault on another boy.

After the hearing Lake said she respected the judge's decision.