"Mr Loophole’s right-hand man” told family to “lie” over speeding charges

The right-hand man of celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman told a wealthy family to lie to avoid a speeding charge, a court heard yesterday.

Trevor Howarth, 46, is alleged to have told Janet Lefton, daughter of the founder of insurance giant Swinton, and her 19-year-old son Jeremy to deny receiving a notification of the charge.

Howarth appeared at Bristol Crown Court charged with committing a series of acts intended to pervert the course of justice. The 46-year-old had been working as a law clerk for Freeman, nicknamed Mr Loophole for successfully defending a series of celebrities against speeding charges.

The jury heard Howarth, of Whittle-Le-Woods, Lancashire, advised Mrs Lefton and her husband Harold to ignore speeding tickets and send “dishonest” letters, and Jeremy to deny receiving the ticket in court.

All three Leftons were jailed for perverting the course of justice following a police investigation.

Crown prosecutor Robin Spencer QC said: “His parents were prepared to pay handsomely for what they thought was the best legal advice there was, from Freeman and Co.

“They followed Mr Howarth’s advice – but they should have known better. They should have seen it for what it was – dishonest advice. They should have had nothing to do with it.”

Howarth denies the charges.

The case continues.