Dappy found guilty

Dappy has been found guilty of affray in connection with a brawl at a petrol station. He was charged under his real name. He was also convicted by a jury at Guildford crown court in Surrey of a charge of assault by beating which involved him spitting at a man. He was cleared of two charges of common assault in which he was accused of spitting at, but missing, two 19-year-old women.

The week-long trial heard that Dappy had been out on 27 February last year celebrating the release of his single Rockstar featuring the Queen guitarist Brian May. After spending the night in the VIP area of the Casino nightclub in Guildford, Dappy was travelling back with friends in three cars to the studios in Godalming where he was recording his debut solo album when they stopped at a Shell garage in Woodbridge Road, Guildford, at about 3.30am on 28 February. Brian Stork, prosecuting, claimed Dappy approached Grace Cochran and Serena Burton, both 19, who were sitting on the kerb outside the station shop and tried to persuade them to get into the car with him to continue the party at the studios. The court was told they refused these advances and began to ridicule him, and Dappy allegedly became angry and called them sluts. He was then accused of spitting at them but missing – the two counts of common assault faced by the singer. Judge Neil Stewart adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports to be prepared on Dappy. Sentencing will be carried out on 15 February and the pair were released on unconditional bail until then.