Court fine for Michael Jackson's ex-bodyguard

One of Michael Jackson's former bodyguards, from North Devon, has been fined for issuing fake court summons.

Martial arts magnate Matt Fiddes, from Barnstaple, admitted one charge of delivering a copy of a paper falsely purporting to be a county court summons at a hearing at Exeter Crown Court last month. The offence arose at a time when he was acting in divorce proceedings, the court was told.

Michael Jackson and his bodyguard Matt Fiddes (left) who was sentenced yesterday for issuing a fake court summons

He was handed a £750 fine, and ordered to pay £1,200 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Judge Francis Gilbert QC said: "You would have saved yourself a lot of the trouble if you had admitted what you did at the start."

SPECIAL LUNCH AND DINNER MENU

Zucca Restaurant

View details

Print voucher

From Monday to Friday,
Come and enjoy our special menu at £12 per person for 3 course-meal.

Terms: Not in conjunction with any other offers.
From Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner.
Subject to availability.

Contact: 01752 424381

Valid until: Wednesday, July 31 2013

The court heard that doubts over the authenticity of the papers were raised because they were issued to another man without the customary court stamp.

"It was rather a stupid thing to have done," the judge said as he handed down the penalty.

The 33-year-old had worked as a minder for the King of Pop in the past and had been friends with members of the Jackson family before a separate court dispute. The defendant is also a former celebrity trainer to Australian singer Peter Andre and British model Danielle Lloyd.