Stepson of celebrity hairdresser banned from contact over mischievous Instagram post

Stepfather Daniel Galvin Jnr counts Johnny Depp, Kylie Minogue and Amanda Holden among his clientele
Raphael Yadgaroff (right) was accused of attacking celebrity hairdresser Daniel Galvin junior (left)Raphael Yadgaroff (right) was accused of attacking celebrity hairdresser Daniel Galvin junior (left)
Raphael Yadgaroff (right) was accused of attacking celebrity hairdresser Daniel Galvin junior (left)

The stepson of a celebrity hairdresser has received a restraining order after he impersonated his step-dad on Instagram to cause ‘mischief’ with his A-list clients.

Raphael Yadgaroff, 32, from Bristol, was due to go on trial accused of assaulting Daniel Galvin Jnr, who counts Johnny Depp, Kylie Minogue and Amanda Holden among his clientele.

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It was alleged he had attacked his step-father following a bust-up at the family’s luxury £1.5million Georgian farmhouse in Pershore, Worcestershire, on June 18 last year.

But yesterday (December 7), the assault charge was dropped by prosecutors at Worcestershire Magistrates Court after the court heard Yadgaroff had acted in self-defence.

Yadgaroff pleaded guilty to a separate offence of sending a message using Mr Galvin’s social media account designed to cause ‘alarm and distress’.

Prosecutor Shawn Williams did not read out the message in court but said it led to Mr Galvin’s high-profile clients questioning whether it was him.

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The court was told Mr Galvin was forced to spend £8,000 on consulting experts to prevent reputational damage from the post from spreading.

Daniel Galvin Jnr, pictured, was involved in a feud with his stepson Raphael Yadgaroff at the family’s luxury homeDaniel Galvin Jnr, pictured, was involved in a feud with his stepson Raphael Yadgaroff at the family’s luxury home
Daniel Galvin Jnr, pictured, was involved in a feud with his stepson Raphael Yadgaroff at the family’s luxury home

Mr Williams said: “By doing what he did, the defendant accessed the private account of Mr Galvin.

“He posted a message to that account pretending he was Mr Galvin and made comments that would cause damage to Mr Galvin’s business.

“It was across a wide range resulting in calls being made to him, plus questions and queries which he dispelled.

“By pretending he was Mr Galvin he caused the mischief.”

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The comments were made last December months after Mr Galvin was said to have been set upon by the son of his estranged model wife Suzanna Twigg.

Mr Galvin, who also counts Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie among his clients, suffered a depressed fracture to the arch of his cheekbone.

He had alleged that he was elbowed, punched and kicked, before being ‘suffocated’ between Yadgaroff’s legs in the family’s garage.

Raphael Yadgaroff (pictured) pretended to be his step-father in an Instagram message designed to cause mischiefRaphael Yadgaroff (pictured) pretended to be his step-father in an Instagram message designed to cause mischief
Raphael Yadgaroff (pictured) pretended to be his step-father in an Instagram message designed to cause mischief

Martial arts expert Yadgaroff told police he acted to protect himself when ‘drunk’ Mr Galvin approached him in a boxer’s stance with his right-fist loaded.

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Yadgaroff said he used a ‘strike’ with his elbow and knee to defend himself from Mr Galvin, who used to be an amateur boxer.

Mr Williams added: “Everyone in this court room will know family relationships are complex.

“Mr Galvin takes that view after careful consideration has been given to the matter.

“The Crown does not seek to litigate it. The assault allegation is being dismissed.”

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Richard Hull, defending, said there was no offensive language used on the Instagram post which had aired the family’s “dirty laundry in public”.

The court also heard the post was only up for ten minutes to Mr Galvin’s 2,900 Instagram followers.

Mr Hull added: “The post was placed and it described the family disharmony.

“There is no language, and was a single post. He aired the dirty laundry in public, he regrets it and entered his plea early.

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“It remains a difficult relationship, he is grateful to hear this is a stepping to reconciliation.

“The assault has been dismissed. It was denied.

“Yes, he accepted Mr Galvin received an injury to his eye, but he was protecting himself.”

The court heard Mr Galvin hoped for a three-year restraining order to help ‘the dust settle’ between the family.

Chair of the bench, Susan Dowti shortened this three-year suggestion to a one year restraining order and also fined Mr Yagdaroff £125.

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She said: “We are not awarding compensation due the family situations - hoping that this will help with the rift.

“You will have a restraining order directly and indirectly by a third person for one year, in the hope in time there will be a reconciliation.”

Yagdaroff, who is now jobless and receiving £600 in Universal Credit payments a month, was also ordered to pay £135 in prosecution costs and a victim surcharge of £34.