Spice Girl Mel B has spoken out for the first time to deny reports new husband Stephen Belafonte is a wife-beater.

Despite revelations Mr Belafonte, 32, was charged with battery after he attacked his common-law wife Nicole Contreras during a drunken episode at their home in 2003, Mel defended her new husband's reputation.

She told Hello! magazine: "They're trying to make him out to be this aggressive, violent, woman batterer and he's not.

"If you read those police reports, they never say he physically beat up a woman."

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Support: Mel B denied reports her new husband is a wifebeater but admitted he was no angel in the past

Stephen was spared jail but had to take part in a 'Domestic Violence Batterers' Programme'.

She added: "The only thing I don't like is that my friends and family read this and go into shock-horror mode, thinking, 'Oh, she's married a psychopath!'."

Mel, who married Belafonte, 32, in June after a whirlwind romance claims she knew of his past and said he is a changed man.

The couple had been friends for seven years before getting together after her bitter break-up with Hollywood star Eddie Murphy.

Mel admitted: "He hasn't been the best of people.

"I know everything that he's done. He went through group therapy and counselling, but he's fully aware of what he's done."

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Family affair: Mel and Stephen with Angel (in baby carrier), Mel's daughter Phoenix Chi in pink tracksuit, and Stephen's daughter Giselle

She said her affection for Belafonte grew after he supported her when she was uncermoniously dumped by Murphy. And a few months after daughter Angel was born, he admitted to Mel he wanted to be with her forever.

Mel said: "He melted my heart...but I'd been so so hurt. I wanted to make sure that this guy was gentle enough to have me believe again that it is possible."

Producer Belafonte proposed to Mel, and hid an engagement ring in a piece of ice he put in her drink.

She said: "I took one big, deep breath and said, 'Yes'. As well as going, 'Thank you God! Don't let me down. Not for the third time'.""

The couple married in secret, and plan to have a big wedding at the end of the newly reformed Spice Girls world tour.

Mel has hired top lawyer Gloria Allred to force Murphy to initiate contact with his daughter, who he has not yet met.

Mel said: "Nothing was being done so I had to go to extreme measures and get lawyers, which I never wanted to do.

"I want sole custody of Angel, like I have with Phoenix, but with father involvement.

"Emotionally and spirtitually, especially with girls, it's very important for them to know who their dad is."

Still a champion for the Spice Girls brand of girl power a defiant Mel said she is taking up the legal fight on behalf of all women.

She said: "This is a current issue. If I can be one little voice and help, I will say, 'Stop! We made a child together. It's unacceptable behaviour...So how these guys think they can get away with it, I have no idea."