Winehouse denies charity ball attack on woman

Singer Amy Winehouse today denied assaulting a woman at a charity ball.

The 25-year-old appeared in court to answer the charge that she attacked Sherene Flash in Berkeley Square, central London, last September.

Police were called after Ms Flash, a dancer, made the accusation against Winehouse, who had performed at the ball.

Asked to give her full name as she stood in the dock at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the singer replied in a confident, clear voice: “Amy Jade Civil.”

Her lawyer Mark Haslam apologised to District Judge Timothy Workman for the singer’s late arrival at court.

He said she left home at 8.15am but experienced some delay.

He said: “I do apologise to the court on her behalf.”

Winehouse’s father Mitch also attended the hearing and chaperoned her past the throng of photographers waiting outside court.

The singer appeared to listen to proceedings but fidgeted in her seat, adjusting the straps on her dress.

The court heard the common assault charge she faced was that on September 25 2008 she assaulted Ms Flash by beating her.

Asked how she pleaded, she said: “Not guilty.”

The case was adjourned to July 23 at the same court.

Winehouse smiled to photographers and reporters as she arrived at court wearing a colourful, floral outfit as well as her trademark beehive hair-do.

Looking sun-tanned followed an extended holiday in the Caribbean, the singer, who was wearing high heels, appeared to stumble as she left the courtroom before being ushered into a side room to speak to her lawyer.

Police officers and her own security staff then helped her into a waiting people carrier.

Asked how she was feeling, she said: “I’m all right, thanks.”

The district judge agreed that her address could be listed as care of her lawyer’s office at 51 Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

Winehouse split from husband Blake Fielder-Civil in November.

Her father blamed him for his daughter’s drug problems and said he wanted him out of her life.

Fielder-Civil was released from prison last month after serving a jail sentence for grievous bodily harm and perverting the course of justice.