A mother-of-two who was physically assaulted by Barnet councillor Brian Coleman says she is “shell-shocked” after being targeted with hate mail.

A threatening note was found taped to Helen Michael’s café in North Finchley High Road by staff who opened up the shop this morning.

The printed letter, which was addressed to Miss Michael, accused the 51-year-old of perjury and perverting the course of justice and was signed off with the words “what goes around will come around”.

The business spokeswoman, who lost her mother to cancer last week, has referred the matter to the police.

The note, printed in full below, refers to the recent conviction of Totteridge councillor and former Barnet mayor Brian Coleman, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Miss Michael during an altercation in September.

The former GLA member was fined after he admitting attacking the businesswoman in North Finchley High Road as she took pictures of his illegally parked car.

But the anonymous author of the abusive note questioned whether the assault victim was “proud of herself” and accused her of lying in court to achieve a "petty vendetta”.

As a witness in the trial, Miss Michael remains under protective measures and police are understood to be looking in to the matter.

Speaking to the Times Series this afternoon, she said: “I was shocked. I just want all this to end. The fact remains, he did assault me – I didn’t make him park there and I have never spoken to him directly.

“These lies are still carrying on but anyone who saw the court case will see I’m the innocent party.

“I don’t know if this letter is some sort of veiled threat but I don’t like being called a liar, a perjurer, a fake – I’m none of those things.

“I lost my mother last week and business is hard as it is without me having to deal with this sort of thing too. I’m just a bit shell shocked and it makes me wonder when it is going to end.”

 

Letter in full

Miss Michael,

We hope you’re proud of yourself now. There is no need to commit perjury and pervert the course of justice to achieve your petty vendetta.

Why not use a civil law suit instead? Mr Coleman is not well liked, hence the verdict. This is a sad day for British justice when there are real criminals out there.

The case was only a public order issue. We won’t be using your café anymore and neither will our friends. Matter of principle.

Remember, what goes around will come around.

We’re not friends of Brian Coleman by the way.