Ann Summers boss “poisoned by nanny”

A Nanny has been charged with poisoning Ann Summers underwear store boss Jacquelin Gold by spiking her food with screenwash.  

Multi-millionaire Jacqueline, one of Britain’s most powerful and influential businesswomen, grew suspicious when meals cooked by her personal chef tasted odd.  

She complained her main meals were too salty and her desserts too sugary – leaving the baffled female cook to retrieve leftovers from the bins to test for herself. Sources say the saga came to a head when soup delivered to 50-year-old Jacqueline’s London office was branded “disgusting”.  

Checks revealed the broth contained screenwash. 

Nanny Allison Cox, 33, was confronted and arrested at the tycoon’s £6.5million mansion in Whyteleafe, Surrey. 

She was later charged with three counts of poisoning her high-profile boss, who also owns the Knickerbox chain. The mother had been hired by Jacqueline – daughter of West Ham United owner David – to care for her twins Alfie and Scarlett, born in May last year following three failed attempts at IVF. Tragically, Alfie, who had a severe brain condition, died aged just eight months. 

Jacqueline – Britain’s 16th-richest woman with an estimated £180million fortune – lives with Scarlett and City trader husband Daniel in her idyllic country pad. 

A family spokesman said: “While the legal proceedings are ongoing, she is unable to comment.” 

A friend of Jacqueline’s said: “She is still in a state of shock because she had such a good relationship with the nanny.” 

Jacqueline is famed as the business genius who transformed Ann Summers into a multi-million pound mainstream brand.