Hari Virk: Asian antique dealer cleared of assault charges

ANTIQUE dealer Hari Virk, who was accused of attacking a mother-son team of estate agents, has been cleared of the charges. He was arrested at his rented home in west London after the pair claimed he assaulted them during a viewing of the property.

Criticising the handling of the case, a crown court judge cleared Virk on one charge of assault while his conviction on the second charge was quashed when the prosecution offered no evidence at an appeal hearing.

The case has highlighted concerns over the use of evidence by video link in criminal cases after the appeal court judge objected to prosecution witnesses not appearing physically in court.

Virk, 50, had put his flat for sale a year ago after which agents from Limetrees International arrived for viewings at short notice and while he was still at home.  A week before the assault allegation he informed all parties he objected to further viewings “until this blasé approach ceased,” The Times reported on Monday (7).

Days later, Amal and Paddy Eid, the mother-and-son agent team from Limetrees, used their key to enter the flat when he was at home and a row began, which they both filmed on their phones, said Virk.

When the agents left, police officers arrived within 20 minutes and arrested him, Virk said, adding that “they made a point of marching me out past the two estate agents.”

He was charged and spent 12 hours in custody before being granted bail.

The antique dealer was cleared of assaulting the mother but convicted of assault against the son. He appealed to the crown court, where the agents again applied to give evidence by video link. However, Michael Grieve, QC, the crown court judge, refused the application, dismissed the case and Virk was acquitted.