Charles Saatchi Cautioned By Police For Choking Nigella Lawson

Charles Saatchi was cautioned by police after being photographed with his hands around wife and celebrity chef Nigella Lawson’s neck.

The 70-year-old former advertising guru described the exchange with Lawson as a “playful tiff.” However, he decided to pay a visit to police in an effort to put the whole ordeal behind them.

According to AAP, Charles Saatchi said he received the caution after stopping by the police station on Monday. The images of the art collector with his hands around Nigella Lawson’s throat were published by the Sunday People over the weekend.

“Although Nigella made no complaint, I volunteered to go to Charing Cross station and take a police caution after a discussion with my lawyer because I thought it was better than the alternative of this hanging over all of us for months,” he explained on Tuesday.

The Canadian Press reports Saatchi admitted to assaulting his wife a few weeks ago at Scott’s restaurant in Mayfair. He said he was questioned by police about the incident for roughly four hours on Monday.

Although this punishment may seem rather light given the circumstances, the formal warning could be used against the art collector if something else happens down the road. However, Charles Saatchi insists the pictures made the situation seem much worse.

“About a week ago, we were sitting outside a restaurant having an intense debate about the children, and I held Nigella’s neck repeatedly while attempting to emphasize my point. There was no grip, it was a playful tiff,” he explained.

As for Nigella Lawson’s departure from the residence: Saatchi insists he told his wife to take the kids and leave since the paparazzi were camping outside of their home. The 70-year-old said they should stay elsewhere until everything cooled down.

My heart melted when i saw this. Nigella Lawson's husband Charles Saatchi is scum. No woman should deal with this pic.twitter.com/ox4ep8qW8H

— Memz Dogi (@Memz_Dogi) June 18, 2013

Saatchi and Lawson married in 2003. The couple currently resides in London with their children from previous marriages. Lawson’s spokesman Mark Hutchinson declined to say whether or not Lawson would be returning to her home once the situation had been resolved.

What do you think about Charles Saatchi receiving a caution from police for choking Nigella Lawson? Do you think he should be punished further for putting his hands on his wife?

[Top Image via Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com]