Court puts Dappy affray trial back to new year

Dappy's trial has been put back until January to allow him to go on tour.

The 25-year-old rapper will stand trial charged with affray, along with three other men, in the new year after his record label asked for a delay to the hearing after investing £1m on his debut solo album 'Bad Intentions'.

Dappy's lawyer Jimmy Vakil told Guildford Crown Court in Surrey, South East England yesterday: "My client is in the music industry and he has a number of commitments.

"His debut [solo] album is out on October 8th and he is on tour from November 28th to December 21st.

"£1 million has been invested in him and the band [by the record company]. The only way this money can be made back is if it's properly promoted."

The N-Dubz star - whose real name is Costadinos Contostavlos - has been hit with the affray charge along with Kieran Patrick Vassell, Kalonji David Stewart, and Alfred James Miller, after the group allegedly got involved in an altercation at a Shell petrol station in Guildford in April, which reportedly left three men with "serious facial injuries".

Dappy and his three fellow defendants - who were told off by a judge at Guildford Magistrates Court in May as they reportedly tutted and talked during evidence - were present at Guildford Crown Court yesterday.

Dappy was spotted outside wearing an Olympics-style hoodie, but he had a suit and tie on underneath.

All four men deny the charges and will be tried on January 7.