Nigella Lawson goes to court

It must have been one of the most difficult days of Nigella Lawson's life yesterday when she walked into court, yet she managed to hold her head high and look dignified.  

She said there is a 'witch hunt' against her, she was the one on trial, with no counsel and no rights and she pleaded with Judge Robin Johnson - "Please don't make this go on for two days."  But it will, after five grueling hours in the witness box, she has to come back again tomorrow.

It's still not clear what actually happened at the London restaurant. We want to believe Nigella because Charles is obviously a bully, but something just doesn't add up because there are three different stories.

Nigella told the court that Charles became enraged by an innocent remark she made when a young couple passed by their table with a small baby in tow.  When she said she was looking forward to having grandchildren, Charles became enraged.  In his sick mind, he was jealous and the thought of Nigella showing affection to anyone else sent him into a fury.  She had to learn that he was her only concern and emphasized his point by grabbing her around the throat and tweaking her nose.

However, the photos show Charles actually putting his finger into one of her nostrils which is a bizarre thing to do and tallies with what the restaurant chef said yesterday.  He told the court that Saatchi 'told everyone' he was taking cocaine out of her nose.  So if that's true, why did Saatchi lie when he gave evidence last week? He said they were not talking about her cocaine use, he was merely making her focus on what he was saying.

Then Nigella gave her version of events. "But what actually happened was that somebody walked by with a very cute baby in a stroller and I said I am so looking forward to having grandchildren and he grabbed me by the throat and said I am the only person you should be concerned with, I am the only person who should be giving you pleasure. That is what happened."

She said Saatchi feels betrayed and is out to ruin her in any way he can.  He even threatened to sue her if she didn't appear as a witness at the trial.  She said it was 'just another form of bullying.'

Nigella denied having a drug addiction and that her house was littered with drug paraphernalia and white powder was left discarded on top of the toilet.  She had used cocaine six times with her first husband John Diamond after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and took it again in July 2010 during a relationship issue with Saatchi. 

“I was having a very, very difficult time, I felt subjected to acts of intimate terrorism,” she said. “I felt shamed, isolated in fear and unhappy.” And later “I have to say, since freeing myself from a brilliant but brutal man, I'm now totally cannabis, cocaine, and drug-free.”

The Grillo sisters claim the argument occurred after Saatchi found out that Nigella had given her permission for them to spend up to $1.3 million on luxury items because she was afraid of her husband finding out about her drug use. 

So who's telling the truth, Charles, Nigella or the Grillo sisters?

The trial continues.