Nigella Lawson: Shocking Paparazzi Pictures Emerge of Domestic Abuse

Nigella Lawson at a Borders book-signing              (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

(London, UK) The UK's mega cooking sensation, Nigella Lawson, and her husband, Charles Saatchi, were being photographed having a quiet meal, when a heated fight began between the two and her angry husband grabbed her by the neck in a chocking motion.

The shocking pictures were shot at her favorite London restaurant, the Mayfair, and it depicts an angry conversation between the couple that escalates to the point where Nigella's husband, Charles Saatchi, reaches across to put a threatening choke on his terrified wife.

Nigella Lawson, looks to be crying quietly and looks to be terrified as he puts his hands around her neck.  A woman at a nearby table looks on but soon ignores the situation to give her order to the oblivious waiter.

Since the images emerged, Nigella Lawson has fled her home, leaving her abusive husband behind to take the brunt from the media questions.  Charles Saatchi in unapologetic for the pictures and claims it was a 'playful tiff' and not as grave as the pictures depict.

(SEE THE SHOCKING PICTURES HERE!)

He released a statement to the UK's 'Evening Standard' -

There was no grip, it was a playful tiff.  The pictures are horrific but give a far more drastic and violent impression of what took place.  Nigella's tears were because we both hate arguing, not because she had been hurt.

We had made up by the time we were home.  The paparazzi were congregated outside our house after the story broke yesterday moring, so I told Nigella to take the kids off till the dust settled.

Restaurant patrons who witness the incident say otherwise, one even exclaiming, 'It was utterly shocking to watch.  I have no doubt she was scared.  It was horrific, really'.

Nigella reportedly tried to ease the situation by kissing him on the cheek and trying to calm him down, but he still stormed out of the restaurant as she followed him with tears in her eyes.

Nigella Lawson is not as known in the US, but in the UK, she is the equivalent to Paula Dean.  It goes to show that no matter how much fame or power a famous women poses, she is not immune to domestic violence and its perils.

In the United States, 1 out of 4 women will experience domestic violence, while 1 out of 3 women who have been victims of homicide have been killed by their domestic partner. If you are experiencing any threatening behavior from your domestic partner - hitting, slapping, name calling, public humilation or any threat to self or close ones - please contact outside help who can help you get out of this potentially life threatening situation like Safe Horizon.  Help is out there!

SAFE HORIZON HOTLINE: 1(800) 621- HOPE (4673)

Not sure if you are being abused?  Get a Domestic Violence Tip Card here!