The Poisonous Nanny

A nanny has admitted trying to poison Ann Summers boss Jacqueline Gold by lacing her food with screen wash.

Allison Cox, 33, of East Grinstead, West Sussex pleaded guilty at Guildford Crown Court to administering poison with intent to annoy.

She was hired by multi-millionaire lingerie and sex toy tycoon Ms Gold, 50, to look after her child at her home in Whyteleafe, Surrey.

Cox was bailed on Thursday to await sentencing on 4 March.

She 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.
'Anxiety'

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 5 October last year.

"The harm wasn't physical. It was anxiety, really, that this was happening to her," 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 sugar into certain food items consumed by Jacqueline Cunningham.

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

Ms Gold, who is known as one of Britain's most successful businesswomen, did not attend the hearing.

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

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