Campbell’s tussles with helpers ‘can be used in lawsuit’

SUPERMODEL Naomi Campbell’s tussles with aides and maids can be raised in a US lawsuit against her, a New York judge has ruled.

The British catwalker tried to block former maid Gaby Gibson from bringing up her history of dust-ups with people who work for her, saying it was “scandalous and prejudicial”.

But Manhattan State Supreme Court Judge Michael Stallman ruled that previous incidents could be admitted.

“Those alleged acts might be relevant to the issues of intent and the need for future deterrence,” he wrote.

Ms Gibson was “very happy” about Judge Stallman’s ruling, said her lawyer Lambros Lambrou.

Ms Gibson worked for Campbell from November 2005 until January 2006.

She claims the 37-year-old model hit her, called her bigoted names and threatened to charge her with theft after she could not find a pair of jeans designed by Stella McCartney. Campbell denies the claims.

Campbell pleaded guilty in January to misdemean-our assault for throwing her mobile phone at another maid, Ana Scolavino. She was ordered to pay Ms Scolavino’s medical expenses, attend an anger management programme and perform five days of community service.

In February 2000, Campbell pleaded guilty in Toronto to an assault charge for beating assistant Georgina Galanis while making a film in 1998. Under an agree-ment with prosecutors, she expressed remorse and was released without punishment or a criminal record.