Queen’s stunt double from London 2012 Olympics jailed for pushing girlfriend down flight of stairs | UK News

A stuntman who jumped from a helicopter while hitting doubles for the Queen at the 2012 London Olympics has been jailed for pushing his ex-girlfriend down the stairs.

Gary Connery, who dressed like a king when he parachuted into the opening ceremony, was found guilty by a jury of bodily harm in a domestic violence case.

The 53-year-old man was sentenced to 18 months after the victim’s shoulder was “broken” following an argument at their home.

Judge Nigel Daly, sentencing Connery at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday, said: “It is clear that you have absolutely no regrets about what happened and do not plead guilty on your behalf.”

An indefinite restraining order for him from contacting the victim was also in place.

Connery, from Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, pushed her then-partner downstairs at their home on 24 October 2020.

She broke a shoulder as well as a cut on her head, after the couple were drinking, arguing about who should turn off the lights, close the gate.

Judge Daly continued: “Obviously the two of you had an argument late in the evening. You were both drinking and you obviously lost your temper.

“However she behaved, she didn’t deserve to be thrown downstairs.

“Throwing someone down the stairs, as I am very pleased you did, can result in extremely serious injury. In this case, it resulted in serious injury.”

He said the “domestic context” of the incident was an “aggravating feature” as it left victims “vulnerable”.

Connery, who has worked as a stuntman in films including Indiana Jones and Johnny English Reborn, was cleared by jurors of willful bodily harm last month but found guilty of causing unintentional bodily harm.

A victim statement by Connery’s ex-girlfriend, read in court by prosecutor Jonathan Stone, said: “The impact on every aspect of my life has been huge.”

She said she felt “unsafe” returning home and becoming financially dependent on her parents.

She added: “I just want Gary to be held accountable for what he’s done and what he’s been through as a family.”

Sarah O’Kane, the defense, said Connery had no prior convictions and was in good standing before the offense occurred.

Ms O’Kane said the incident was “impulsive, spontaneous and perhaps rather short-lived” that affected Connery’s career.

She continued: “The phone doesn’t ring like it used to.”

During the London 2012 opening ceremony, audiences watched a short clip of James Bond, played by Hollywood actor Daniel Craig, entering Buckingham Palace, surrounded by coyotes, to greet the Queen, who was seated. at her desk.

She greeted him with the words “Good evening, Mr Bond”, and the pair appeared to have boarded a helicopter flying over London to the stadium.

Connery, as Queen, then parachuted to the ground with skydiver Mark Sutton as 007, before the monarch appeared in the arena to claim her seat to cheer and pat. hand.