Nanny admits Jacqueline Gold murder bid

(Reuters)

A woman who worked as a nanny for Ann Summers boss Jacqueline Gold today admitted attempting to poison the lingerie tycoon with screen wash.

Allison Cox, 33, who was hired by Ms Gold to look after her daughter Scarlett at her mansion in Whyteleafe, Surrey, contaminated food which had been prepared for the millionairess by her chef in an attempt to get the other member of staff into trouble.

Appearing at Guildford Crown Court she pleaded guilty to one charge of administering poison with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy.

Cox was originally charged with a further two counts of attempting to poison Ms Gold with sugar and salt, but the indictment against her was amended during the hearing today.

Sentencing was adjourned until March 4.

Prosecutor Rachel Davies said Ms Gold, who she referred to as Ms Cunningham, was not harmed after eating the food laced with screen wash on October 5 last year.

She said: "The harm wasn't physical. It was anxiety really that this was happening to her."

Giving a brief outline of the case, she said: "There was, it appears, some animosity from the defendant towards the cook which then caused the defendant to put certain articles including the screen wash and the salt and the sugar into certain food items that were consumed by Jacqueline Cunningham.

"She put it into the food to cause the cook to be questioned about it."

Cox stood in the dock dressed in a black tunic top and black trousers with her black hair swept back in a pony tail.

Ms Gold, who is known as one of Britain's most successful businesswoman with a reputed fortune of around £180 million, did not attend the hearing.

Alistair Harper, for the defence, said Cox was of previous good character.

Adjourning sentencing for reports to be carried out, Judge Christopher Critchlow said she would get credit for pleading guilty but all sentencing options remained open.

Cox, of East Grinstead, West Sussex, was given continued unconditional bail.