Jack White ordered to anger management classes

White Stripes star Jack White has been ordered to attend anger management classes after he admitted beating up the lead singer with a rival band.

White was accused of repeatedly punching Von Bondies lead singer Jason Stollsteimer and originally was charged with aggravated assault. He could have faced up to a year in jail, but will avoid jail time under a plea deal.

White must pay a £275 fine, plus £150 in court fees, and Detroit Judge Paula Humphries ordered him to attend anger management classes. She also told him not to contact Stollsteimer.

The fight between White and Stollsteimer began shortly before midnight at the Majestic Theatre Centre in Detroit, where both men were in the audience for another concert.

Stollsteimer told police that White punched him seven times in the face. Police said Stollsteimer’s right eye was bruised and swollen, and he was bleeding from his nose.

White went to police after the fight and gave a statement saying he struck Stollsteimer in self-defence.

In court yesterday, White gave his account of what led to the fight. He said he had not seen Stollsteimer in a long time but had heard that he had made some allegations against him in the press and to mutual acquaintances.

“I went up to ask him to say it to me face to face,” White said.

He said Stollsteimer ignored him so White spat at him and they started fighting. He said Stollsteimer landed on his hand, which he had recently injured in a car accident. White said he then punched Stollsteimer in the face a couple of times.

Outside the court, White told reporters he regretted the incident.

Prosecutors said earlier the two men had a long-standing disagreement over White’s role in producing the Von Bondies’ first album.