No laughing matter for Barry Hilton
Published on: 02-Jan-2008
Barry Hilton, one of South Africa's leading comedians, is not laughing very much at the moment after being charged with theft.He is in trouble following a dispute over monies allegedly paid as a deposit for a picture which was to be painted by the artist Paul Van Rensburg.
Reports suggest that Mr Hilton went into Van Rensburg's art shop where his wife was serving at the time and asked her if she recalled a painting he had paid an advance for.
She reportedly replied that she could not give Mr Hilton his money back and that he would have to take another picture as payment.
According to News24.com the comedian then became angry and according to a friend, "demanded his money back".
The police then arrived at Mr Hilton's home to arrest him.
His wife Sandy told News.24: "The police were determined to put Barry in a cell."
Mr Hilton has now been charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances after being accused of pulling a painting out of Mrs Van Rensburg's hands.
He is best known in this country as the first South African stand-up comic to perform at the London comedy club, The Comedy Store.
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