Laura Woods's fiancé Adam Collard 'had his shirt ripped and was grabbed by his millionaire property tycoon father in row over cottage'

By RORY TINGLE, HOME AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT Published: 16:45, 3 July 2026 | Updated: 16:46, 3 July 2026 Love Island star Adam Collard's father allegedly assaulted him after they argued over who owned a cottage.  William 'Billy' Collard, a multi-millionaire property developer, will go on trial in August over a confrontation last September - the Daily Mail revealed this week.  Further details about the incident emerged during a court hearing, which heard Billy is accused of grabbing his son, ripping his shirt and leaving him with reddening on his neck. The 56-year-old lives on a farm in Horsley, in Northumberland, and his son Adam - who is expecting a second child with his fiancée, Laura Woods - is the registered owner of one of the holiday cottages on the land, prosecutors said. But Billy disputed this and allegedly assaulted the 30-year-old when he turned up at the farm on September 5. The businessman, of Horsley Banks Farm, pleaded not guilty to one count of assault by beating during the hearing at Newcastle Magistrates' Court. The hearing took place in April, but the details of what happened only emerged recently.  Rehana Haque, prosecuting, said: 'The victim is the son of the defendant. 'It is a charge of assault by beating. The background is that there appears to be a dispute over ownership of a property. The victim bought a cottage from the defendant's wife some time in 2023.' Billy Collard, pictured with Adam in a Facebook photo, will go on trial in August over an incident in Newcastle last September Adam is expecting a second child with his fiancée, Laura Woods, who announced the news on Instagram  The prosecutor added: 'On September 5, the victim attended the address with the police to have the locks changed on the property. The defendant had allegedly parked his car across the front door, preventing access. 'The victim has attempted to barge the door and the defendant has allegedly grabbed the victim and pulled him back, causing a ripped shirt and reddening to his neck.' The court heard that Collard pleaded not guilty on the basis that he was acting in self-defence. Jack Lovell, defending, said: 'There are some financial legal issues also involved here.' Collard was released on unconditional bail to appear back at the same court for trial on August 7. Adam's fiancée Laura, a highly regarded TV presenter, is currently in the USA presenting ITV's coverage of the World Cup. The couple began dating in October 2023 and announced Laura's first pregnancy the following July. Laura Woods is at the top of her game, but away from the field she has faced fierce scrutiny over her relationship with Adam Collard.  She sat down with the Daily Mail and opened up in an exclusive interview, discussing sexism, stalkers and her relationship with her ex-Love Island fiancé. Read Laura's exclusive interview Billy Collard has previously been described as having a net worth of £3million thanks to an impressive portfolio earning him a reported £140,000 a year.  Despite his significant wealth, Billy was previously found to have wrongly claimed nearly £6,000 worth of housing benefit over nine months, saying a sleep disorder prevented him from working.  He was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £2,000 court costs after admitting the fraud at Newcastle Crown Court in 2008.  During a separate case in 2019, HMRC seized £44,000 from him under the Proceeds of Crime Act.  A court approved the application by HMRC to confiscate the cash during a hearing in March 2019. However, the money was returned after a successful appeal.  In March 2015, Billy was held by police after his neighbour and her daughter were assaulted during a row about parking. The father-of-two lives in a large, picturesque farmhouse worth an estimated £364,000, overlooking rolling hills in the affluent village of Horsley, Northumberland.  When asked about the benefit fraud by the Mail in 2018 he shrugged the matter off and said: 'It is what it is. I did not even get a fine.  'Me and Adam are completely different. What I do is completely different from what Adam does. 'I do not really want to comment on Adam being in Love Island. It is not our type of thing.' Billy admitted making a false statement with a view to obtaining income support by failing to disclose full and accurate details of assets.  He also repaid the money he had dishonestly obtained. Adam pictured outside the ITV studios in London on June 1 this year  Billy has previously been described as having a net worth of £3million thanks to an impressive portfolio earning him a reported £140,000 a year The property tycoon has been known to be extremely close to his son and had a photograph of them together as his Facebook profile picture. In turn, Adam has regularly praised him in public, saying on one occasion: 'He is the coolest, most inspiring and generous guy I know.' He revealed that after chastising him for getting a tattoo as a teenager, his father ended up getting one himself. Adam, who also has a little sister, said: 'I got kicked out of the house for getting the first one. It is a circle. 'Then my dad went to Las Vegas and came back with half a sleeve. 'He said: 'I'm 45, I know what I am doing''.' Adam appeared on seasons four and eight of Love Island, alongside a stint on Celebrity SAS Adam appeared on seasons four and eight of Love Island, alongside a stint on Celebrity SAS.  He got engaged to Laura Woods in September 2024 after he proposed on a beach in St Ives, Cornwall. A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed William Collard has been charged with assault by beating and is set to stand trial at Newcastle Magistrates' court on August 7. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.