Photographer Jay Kaycappa had 132 dishonesty convictions

Jay Kaycappa, 32, from Fareham, in Hampshire, approached the estranged wife of Sir Paul McCartney in a subway on Brighton seafront on 5 July 2006.

Brighton Magistrates' Court heard Kaycappa, who will be sentenced on 16 August, grabbed her right shoulder to swing her round and take her picture.

He was also convicted of assaulting her friend Mark Payne the next evening.

Heather is delighted that justice has been done Phil Hall, spokesman

The three-day trial was told the freelance photographer had 132 criminal convictions for dishonesty offences.

Sentencing was adjourned for reports to be prepared but Kaycappa was warned by chair of the bench Juliet Smith that sentencing options would include custody.

He was freed on unconditional bail.

The court had heard how Lady McCartney had cycled to Brighton from her seafront home in Hove, accompanied by her personal trainer and two friends.

Jay Kaycappa grabbed Lady McCartney's shoulder

The 39-year-old had told how she saw Kaycappa run along the beach after them in order to get a shot of her.

When she ducked into a subway to avoid the paparazzi she spotted a photographer at the subway's exit.

When she turned back the other way she was confronted by Kaycappa.

Lady McCartney's spokesman Phil Hall said: "Heather is delighted that justice has been done and hopes that the photographers who pursue her on a daily basis will now leave her and her daughter alone."