A MEMBER of one of Britain's most elite aristocratic families has denied repeatedly beating his wife.
Lord Edward Alexander Somer set, the son of the Duke of Beaufort, pleaded not guilty to six counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Caroline Somerset, 54.
He denied charges dating back more than 25 years with the first assault alleged to have happened in London between January 1988 and January 1992.
The other attacks – the most recent last October – are alleged to have taken place at the couple's home on the Badminton estate in Gloucestershire.
Lord Somerset, 55, a father of two, appeared at Bristol Crown Court where he was told his trial would likely be in early December.
He is listed 590th in the latest Sunday Times Rich List.