Winehouse husband loses court appeal

Singer Amy Winehouse's husband, who tried to cover up a vicious attack on a publican, has today lost an appeal against his sentence.

The challenge by Blake Fielder-Civil, who was jailed for 27 months in July, was rejected by two judges in the Court of Appeal in London.

Fielder-Civil (aged 26) of Camden, north London, was released from prison on November 5 on condition that he resides at a drug rehabilitation centre.

He joined in a "vicious and one-sided" assault on James King while high on cocaine and alcohol, Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London heard at his trial.

Fielder-Civil and his friend Michael Brown, who launched the attack in June 2006, tried to scupper the trial with a £200,000 (€235,089) pay-off to Mr King, the landlord of a pub in Hoxton, east London.

Mr Justice Pitchford, dismissing the appeal, expressed the court's encouragement to Fielder-Civil to continue the progress he has made since November 5.

It was only if "these attempts are successful that he has a worthwhile future", added the judge.

Fielder-Civil was present in court today and said after the hearing: "I am disappointed but not really surprised."

The news comes after Winehouse reportedly called time on their 19-month marriage, following reports of Fielder-Civil's close relationship with German model Sophie Schandorff.