Former golf chamion with an OBE convicted assault aged 77

Vivian Saunders OBE, who won the Women's British Open in 1977, has been convicted of common assault

A former professional golfer has stated that her life is effectively "over" after being found guilty of intentionally using her Mercedes 4x4 to push a neighbour during a dispute over gardening. Vivian Saunders OBE, who won the Women's British Open in 1977, was convicted of pushing Jill Beresford-Ambridge with her car on more than one occasion, according to testimony presented in court.

The incident occurred at Abbotsley Country Homes in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, where Saunders, 77, is a freeholder of the exclusive gated development. Saunders had driven her vehicle close to residents who were standing in the road while tending to the gardens, and it was then that she used her car to push Beresford-Ambridge.

Initially tried at Peterborough Magistrates' Court in November of last year, Saunders appealed her conviction in July, only to be found guilty once more of common assault following a two-day retrial at Cambridge Crown Court on September 26 and 27.

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Speaking outside the courtroom, Saunders expressed her sentiments: "Life is in fact at an end when you have a criminal conviction; you may as well crawl up in to the ground."

"If I want to play an international golf match in America in two years' time, I may not be able to go. The whole ramifications of a criminal conviction are disastrous."

On August 3, 2022, the situation escalated at Abbotsley Country Homes near the golf course owned by Saunders when she drove her Mercedes 4x4 onto the site. A host of residents were tending to the communal gardens, but one, Robert Verdier, was miffed about the undertakings.

He called Saunders, the land's freeholder, leading to a clash caught on camera. As the court learned, Saunders inched her vehicle menacingly close to the roadside crowd, causing most to scatter, including Mr Verdier.

However, Jill Beresford-Ambridge, hobbling on crutches and recording the row, stood firm and felt the car prod her more than once. In the witness box, she recounted her fear: "I was terrified as she didn't stop."

The incident, complete with Saunders aggressive commands like "get out of the way you silly woman" and "move to the side", was captured by Mrs Beresford-Ambridges dashcam, which Saunders later provided to police upon her arrest.

On August 3, 2022, the situation escalated at Abbotsley Country Homes near the golf course owned by Saunders when she drove her Mercedes 4x4 onto the site. A host of residents were tending to the communal gardens, but one, Robert Verdier, was miffed about the undertakings.

He called Saunders, the land's freeholder, leading to a clash caught on camera. As the court learned, Saunders inched her vehicle menacingly close to the roadside crowd, causing most to scatter, including Mr Verdier.

However, Jill Beresford-Ambridge, hobbling on crutches and recording the row, stood firm and felt the car prod her more than once. In the witness box, she recounted her fear: "I was terrified as she didn't stop."

and "She gave me a push, and then another push... I was really nervous she wasn't going to stop and was going to put me on the floor."

Emphatically declaring, "[Saunders] absolutely 100 per cent made physical contact. She pushed me more than once."

The incident, complete with Saunders aggressive commands like "get out of the way you silly woman" and "move to the side", was captured by Mrs Beresford-Ambridges dashcam, which Saunders later provided to police upon her arrest.

The court was told about the bitter row involving Saunders and the lodge owners, featuring High Court proceedings and civil court battles.

Saunders, a self-representing qualified solicitor, went to Abbotsley Country Homes upon receiving a distressed call from Mr Verdier.

She claimed Mrs Beresford-Ambridge filmed post-incident events "to create mayhem" due to ongoing legal wrangles.

Throughout her trial, Saunders maintained that her vehicle never made contact, a claim supported by Mr Verdier, who testified from behind a screen.

Boasting a law career spanning 43 years, Saunders, a Mensa member for half a century and past Women's British Open golf champion, notably wore her OBE medal during the retrial.

While testifying, Saunders declared unequivocally: "There is no question... I did not touch [Mrs Beresford-Ambridge] or come into contact with her or her sticks."

She emphasised her intelligence and innocence again with: "I am an intelligent person and I didn't do it.."

Further, Saunders scrutinised police procedures including the extended period taken to return her mobile phone.

Cambridgeshire Police officers defended their investigation's depth and timely nature amid scrutiny.

Recorder Nash, delivering the verdict, pointed to dashcam evidence indicating Mrs Beresford-Ambridge did indeed get "nudged backwards".

She remarked: "The contact was deliberate and was to force Jill Beresford-Ambridge to move out of the path of the motor vehicle."

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"The offence of assault has been committed and we find you guilty of the assault."

Upon sentencing Saunders, Recorder Nash contemplated a restraining order but ultimately rejected it, stating "it could be weaponised" in future legal battles.

Saunders' original penalty will stand, consisting of a £500 fine, a £200 surcharge, £720 in costs, and an order to pay £50 in compensation.

Moreover, she is now required to contribute an additional £1,300 towards the appeal expenses.

After the sentencing outside the courtroom, Saunders declared: "I didn't hit [the victim] at all and I told the court the truth.."

"... A lesson to everybody here is don't take anything to the police ever. Never trust them, you can't trust them with anything."

"I handed over that dashcam footage to prove my innocence."

"It's akin to the individual who received a fine for reporting a migrant in their van."

"The police show such bias. Despite my numerous calls, they've never responded to incidents at my golf course."

She concluded by expressing regret: "The worst thing I ever did was move to Cambridgeshire in 1986."