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Amy Winehouse not guilty of assault
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent24 Jul 2009
Amy Winehouse was cleared today of punching a dancer at a Mayfair ball in aid of one of Prince Charles's charities.
Burlesque dancer Sherene Flash claimed the 25-year-old hit her in the right eye after she asked the singer for a photograph while backstage at the Prince's Trust Ball in Berkeley
Square last September.
But District Judge Timothy Workman at City of Westminster magistrates' court dismissed the case
against Winehouse today.
Winehouse looked confused and shrugged her shoulders as the verdict was read out. The star did not leave the dock until her solicitor appeared to clarify the not guilty verdict.
As she left the courtroom, she said: “I'm relieved. I'm going home.” Delivering his verdict, the judge said: “Having heard the evidence from all the witnesses, I cannot be sure that this was not an accident.
The charge is dismissed and the defendant discharged.” After the verdict, Winehouse was ushered away by her father Mitch and minders through a pack of photographers.
Outside court, her spokesman said: “Amy would like to thank her family, friends and legal team for their support. She's always maintained her
innocence and is very happy to put the episode behind her.”
The singer, who was charged with assault, had told the court she felt intimidated when Miss Flash leaned over and put her arm around her.
Winehouse would have been happy to pose for a picture with Miss Flash but had asked her to wait for a couple of minutes while she said goodbye to a friend, the court heard.
Winehouse denied punching Miss Flash in the face but said: “I pushed her up, like away. I wanted her away from me. I meant to just get her away
from me. I was scared. I thought People are mad these days, people can't handle their drink'.”
She said: “She lunged at me and put her arm around me. She was just drunk. It was intimidating. I think she was being overly friendly but that was intimidating. I was scared. I'm not Mickey Mouse, I'm a human being.”
Reader views (16)
Why is it so difficult in the UK for celebrities to be held to account for their actions? Is the nation so 'star struck' that only the 'little people' pay?
- Mark, Venice, Italy, 26/07/2009 22:25
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Fair play to Amy.At least the lady presented herself looking respectable.Also read the papers look at the news people,isnt this a little minor to afford such coverage and tax payers money,yet again?
Now put some punch in your next album lady.
- Allan Clarke, Brasil, 25/07/2009 00:33
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Clearly, this woman is right to want some over-friendly nobody away from here as quickly as possible, and if the punch wasn’t a “real” punch why prosecute her for it in the first place? I sympathise with anybody who is goaded into overreacting in some way over any sort of unwanted, aggravating personal attention. Once even I was goaded into slapping some punk Asian kid in the face, hard, on a bus, because he actually though my neck was an ashtray for stumping out some root on it (which he shouldn’t have been smoking on the bus anyway). Now I expect that I could even have been prosecuted for that under some sort of “public nuisance law”, if the police had came along as I wanted (as I was a bit pissed off, so to speak). What sort of just judicial process is that? Some kind of legalistic musical chairs in Magistrates’ Court? However, I still suspect this starlet has some “anger management” issues after all…we shall have to see what happens next with her.
- Drew Byrne, Esq., Ealing, London., 24/07/2009 21:36
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Why do this type, along with lowlife footballers, always get away with their behavior ? I am sick of the sight of such people.
- Michael, Kensington, UK, 24/07/2009 18:47
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now if I thump someone I can either use the Whinehouse defence "it was an accident" or the Gerrard defence " Yeah I hit him FIRST but it was self defence 'cause he was sooo aggressive"
- Simon, london, 24/07/2009 18:29
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Another disgraceful day in the courts. This piece of trash is as guilty as hell, but because she is rich and famous she gets off.
This country is now a sick joke.
- Kerry, Purley, 24/07/2009 15:30
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I'm glad she got let off... there are too many people who would be ready to press charges against famous people just to try and launch their own careers.
- Adam, London, UK, 24/07/2009 15:28
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hope she goes out on the town to celebrate!
- Russ, hitchin, 24/07/2009 14:58
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I am bemused as to what assault is, having read both of Gerard's and Winehouse's acquittals. I actually thought Gerard would go down. I do think Winehouse has a hard time though, whilst I can't see she could do much damage by thumping someone, and I think the public do go over the top and are too familiar when they meet celebs.
- Prototypical Englishman, Wormwood Scrubs, 24/07/2009 14:48
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Great new reality TV show idea: I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Off This Charge. (TV companies please contact me for the address to send the cheque.)
Celebrity contestants have to see how serious an offence they can commit and get off scott free. Those who don't win are of course likely to end up in the slammer; the winner takes it all.
Obvious choices so far to be invited to take part: Amy Winehouse and Steven Gerrard.
- Paul H, London, UK, 24/07/2009 14:47
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"The great British justice system,one law for the rich,another for the man in the street."
You sound like a whining, jealous failed singer - Dave.
Miss Flash, the dancer - got her moment of fame, but the truth is her idol, who she wanted to be seen phoyographed with, could not take the reply No,no,no, when Amy told her so clearly. Miss Flash must now rightfullypay costs for inconveniencing the court and the singer
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 24/07/2009 14:46
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A total joke! How many times has she lashed out at people??? She was scared every single time she assaulted someone? People like her make me sick!
- Aria, South London, 24/07/2009 13:46
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As predictable as Gerrard's acquittal!
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England, 24/07/2009 13:22
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It´s one big yawn, isn´t it? I just wish Amy Winehouse would get back to what she´s best at - singing. You´re overdue another album, Ms Winehouse. Get with it!
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 24/07/2009 13:20
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Members of the jury,the question you need to ask yourself is, is she rich and a celeb,if so here under British law she is innocent.The great British justice system,one law for the rich,another for the man in the street.
- Dave, london, 24/07/2009 13:18
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Wow what a shot
- Grim Reaper, Hell, 24/07/2009 13:17
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