Fielder-Civil facing jail sentence

The ex-husband of pop singer Amy Winehouse was warned today he faced a substantial prison sentence after admitting burglary and possessing a fake firearm.

Blake Fielder-Civil look shocked as a judge refused him bail and remanded him in custody while a pre-sentence report is carried out.

Fielder-Civil, 28, and another man, Christopher Sylvester, 29, appeared at Leeds Crown Court in England today where they jointly admitted the charges.

An earlier hearing heard the pair were arrested in Leeds, on February 28 when a car in which they were travelling was stopped by police.

They were charged with possessing an imitation gun and burglary of a dwelling in which electrical items and jewellery worth up to £4,000 was taken. Both admitted the charges today.

They each denied a charge of altering a vehicle licence.

Fielder-Civil who was also remanded in custody, will be sentenced on June 22.

Prosecuting, Miss Alisha Kaye said the pleas were accepted by the Crown. She did not outline the case.

Fielder-Civil held his head in his hands as Judge Kerry Macgill remanded him in custody.

The judge told the pair: “You have both pleaded guilty. People who go out and commit burglary with a firearm in the vehicle face a substantial custodial sentence.”

He said Sylvester had an extensive criminal record, while he said Fielder-Civil was at risk of committing offences while on bail. Earlier, the judge remarked that the fake handgun was a “very impressive looking imitation”.

Joseph Spencer, defending Sylvester, said the pleas were entered for both defendants on the basis that the fake firearm never left the vehicle and was not used in the burglary.

The court was told Fielder-Civil had recently become a father, but the child had been admitted to intensive care.

Fielder-Civil, a former music video assistant, and Winehouse were married in May 2007 in Miami. They divorced in 2009 after a troubled on-off relationship.

His two-year marriage to Winehouse was referred to at a previous court hearing.