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Winehouse 'hit dancer over photo' Winehouse 'hit dancer over photo'
(41 minutes later)
Singer Amy Winehouse reacted with "unjustifiable violence" when a dancer asked her for a photograph at a charity ball, a court has been told.Singer Amy Winehouse reacted with "unjustifiable violence" when a dancer asked her for a photograph at a charity ball, a court has been told.
The 25-year-old singer is alleged to have punched Sherene Flash at the summer ball in Berkeley Square, central London, last September. The 25-year-old is alleged to have punched Sherene Flash at the summer ball in Berkeley Square, central London, last September.
The court heard Miss Winehouse hit Miss Flash when a drunken friend of the dancer tried to get into the photo.The court heard Miss Winehouse hit Miss Flash when a drunken friend of the dancer tried to get into the photo.
Miss Winehouse had pleaded not guilty to assault at an earlier hearing.Miss Winehouse had pleaded not guilty to assault at an earlier hearing.
Prosecutor Lyall Thompson told Westminster Magistrates' Court the singer appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or "some other substance" when she carried out the alleged attack. Westminster Magistrates' Court heard the incident happened in a dressing room at the event shortly after midnight on 26 September.
The court heard the incident happened in a dressing room at the event shortly after midnight on 26 September. Prosecutor Lyall Thompson said Miss Flash asked "politely" for a photograph of Winehouse.
Mr Thompson said Miss Flash asked "politely" for a photograph of Winehouse.
'Drunken stranger'
The court heard the star appeared reluctant at first but then agreed.The court heard the star appeared reluctant at first but then agreed.
'Reacted badly'
But Miss Flash was with a drunken friend called Kieran Connelly and as he tried to get into the photo, which Miss Flash was taking, Miss Winehouse punched Miss Flash to her right eye, the court heard.But Miss Flash was with a drunken friend called Kieran Connelly and as he tried to get into the photo, which Miss Flash was taking, Miss Winehouse punched Miss Flash to her right eye, the court heard.
She reacted badly to a polite request Prosecutor Lyall Thompson Mr Thompson said: "It may be that it was that that annoyed Miss Winehouse."
Mr Thompson said: "It may be that it was that that annoyed Miss Winehouse.
"Miss Winehouse may have felt she had generously agreed to be photographed on her own and not with a drunken stranger."
But he said: "This was a deliberate assault by Miss Winehouse. She reacted badly to a polite request."But he said: "This was a deliberate assault by Miss Winehouse. She reacted badly to a polite request."
Miss Flash, who admitted she was also "tipsy" told the court she had ushered her friend Mr Connelly into the photograph and that was when Winehouse hit her.
I started crying. I was shocked Sherene Flash
She told the court that Mr Connelly did not get very close to Winehouse "but that's when she punched me anyway."
Miss Flash told the court: "I started crying. I was shocked. I couldn't open my eye for a while. I was just mainly in shock."
She said she left the backstage area and returned to the main entrance, which was when she began to feel "angry" and called police.
Mr Thompson said that when Miss Winehouse was arrested and questioned on 5 March, she said she told Miss Flash she wanted to say goodbye to someone else first, but Miss Flash put her arm around her and told her the other person "could wait".Mr Thompson said that when Miss Winehouse was arrested and questioned on 5 March, she said she told Miss Flash she wanted to say goodbye to someone else first, but Miss Flash put her arm around her and told her the other person "could wait".
He said: "Miss Winehouse admitted she was offended and claimed to feel intimidated."He said: "Miss Winehouse admitted she was offended and claimed to feel intimidated."
'Backhand swipe'
But he said she told police her only physical reaction was to push Miss Flash away with her forearm.But he said she told police her only physical reaction was to push Miss Flash away with her forearm.
The case continues. Jack Jefferson, who also performed at the summer ball, told the court he could overhear someone telling the group there was no time for photographs and that was when the situation escalated.
He told the court: "Miss Winehouse seemed to lash out and arms were flailing.
"I can't remember literally seeing the hand hitting the face, but from the actions I assume that contact was made."
He said it was "almost like a backhand swipe with the heel of the hand" and added: "I wouldn't have said it was a punch as such".
The trial continues.
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Court scrum greets WinehouseCourt scrum greets Winehouse