July 24, 2009 10:04

Amy Winehouse accused of 'deliberate assault' as trial starts

Singer appears in court to face common assault charge

Photo Gallery: Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse was accused of "unjustifiable violence" in court yesterday (July 23) after being accused of hitting a fan.

The singer is accused of assaulting Sherene Flash at a show at Berkeley Square, Westminster, central London on September 25, 2008. She pleaded not guilty to the common assault charge in March.

Yesterday Westminster Magistrates' Court was told that Winehouse hit Flash in the eye area when an inebriated friend of hers had attempted to muscle in on the photo opportunity, reports BBC News.

Prosecutor Lyall Thompson called the incident a "deliberate assault".

Winehouse retorted by stating: "Her [Flash's] friend came round in front of us and started taking a picture. I was like, 'Do I get a choice in this, hello?' It [the alleged punch] was more like an indication of, 'Leave me alone, I'm scared of you'. I meant to just get her away from me. I was scared."

Jack Jefferson, a singer who was also attending the ball, said: "I wouldn't have said it was a punch as such."

The trial continues.