Former royal press secretary Ailsa Anderson has revealed that officials carried out a prison cell inspection before Princess Anne's court appearance in 2002, fearing the royal could be sent to jail.
Unprecedented security measure
Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive, Anderson recalled that she was present at Slough Magistrates' Court when Anne pleaded guilty to an offence involving her English bull terrier, Dotty, which had attacked two children. Anderson said: "I was there in Slough Magistrates' Court. She lost control of her dogs. She pleaded guilty."
The conversation took an unexpected turn when Anderson revealed: "Yeah. Again, we had to recce the courts beforehand and look at the jails downstairs just in case they pushed her down." When asked if they checked the cells, she confirmed: "Yes, just in case she was sent down."
Basic conditions
Anderson explained that the precautions were for security purposes, to establish what was in the cells and who might be present. Asked if there were criminals downstairs, she said: "There were a few." When asked if the cells were suitable for a royal, she replied: "They were basic, Matt. They were basic. Not quite what she was used to, right? But she didn't have to go to any of these cells."
Anne avoided a custodial sentence and was fined £500, ordered to pay £500 compensation and £148 in court costs. Dotty had to be kept on a lead in public and undergo training.
Historic conviction
The case marked the first time a senior royal had been convicted of a criminal offence in about a century. Charges against Anne's husband, Commodore Tim Laurence, were dropped shortly after proceedings began. The sentence drew criticism from victims' families, who were angry that Dotty was not put down. District Judge Penelope Hewitt said the couple were experienced dog owners but warned that another incident could lead to the animal being destroyed.
Anderson confirmed Anne never actually viewed the cells herself. When asked if she went to look at them, Anderson said: "No. No."
