Yahoo Movies Queen's stunt double jailed for attacking girlfriend
A stunt double who appeared as the Queen during the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics has been handed a jail sentence for attacking his girlfriend.
Skydiver Gary Connery – who famously jumped from a helicopter dressed as the Queen in a James Bond style stint – attacked his former partner, Tanya Brass, in October 2020. This week, the court heard how Brass was left with a "shattered" shoulder and a cut to the head after being pushed down the stairs by Connery. The incident happened following an argument about who should turn the light off and who should close the gate – they had both been drinking.
During Connery's sentencing, Judge Nigel Daly said the stuntman had shown "no remorse" for his actions, adding that he did not "seem to accept any fault."
"However [Brass] was behaving she did not deserve to be thrown down stairs," Judge Daly told Connery as he handed him an 18 month jail sentence, noting that he could not suspend the sentence because he believed there to be "no realistic prospect of rehabilitation".
"Throwing somebody down the stairs, as I am quite satisfied you did, can result in extremely serious injuries. In this case it resulted in injuries which were serious," Judge Daly said.
However, Connery was not sentenced on Brass' claims that he had hit her head against the banister before pushing her down the stairs, as the jury had not found him guilty of a charge for grievous bodily harm with intent, relating to the alleged action.
In a personal statement, Brass told the court: "I just want Gary to take responsibility for what he has done and how he has impacted my family. The impact on every aspect of my life has been enormous."
The victim went on to reveal that after the incident, she felt it was too "unsafe" to return to the home they once shared, pointing out that she then became financially dependent on her parents.
As well as being given an almost two-year prison sentence, Judge Daly imposed a restraining order preventing Connery from contacting Brass indefinitely.
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