Suspended Tory councillor Brian Coleman has pleaded guilty to common assault.  

The former Mayor of Barnet also faced a charge of driving without reasonable care which was dropped.

The charges followed an altercation in North Finchley High Road on September 20.

CCTV footage shown during the hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates Court this morning showed the former head of the London Fire Authority lunge at café owner Helen Michael while she took pictures of his illegally parked car on her mobile phone.

Councillor Coleman pleaded not guilty to the accusations during a hearing on November 5 but pleaded guilty to the common assault charge this morning.

The long-standing politician has been suspended from the national Conservative party pending the outcome of the hearing.

He remains a member of Barnet Council but is currently sitting as an independent.

Live coverage of the Brian Coleman trial here: http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/10398162.Former_Barnet_mayor_Brian_Coleman_pleads_guilty_to_assault_charge/