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Winehouse 'hit dancer over photo' Winehouse 'hit dancer over photo'
(about 7 hours 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 heard.
The 25-year-old is alleged to have punched Sherene Flash at the summer ball in Berkeley Square, central London, last September. She allegedly 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 singer hit Miss Flash in the eye when the dancer's drunken friend tried to get into the photo, the court heard.
Miss Winehouse had pleaded not guilty to assault at an earlier hearing. Miss Winehouse, 25, who denies assault, told Westminster Magistrates' Court that she was scared of Miss Flash.
Westminster Magistrates' Court heard the incident happened in a dressing room at the event shortly after midnight on 26 September. The incident happened in a dressing room after midnight on 26 September.
Prosecutor Lyall Thompson said Miss Flash asked "politely" for a photograph of Winehouse. The singer said she had gone to the event to support her goddaughter who was performing there.
The court heard the star appeared reluctant at first but then agreed. Prosecutor Lyall Thompson said Miss Flash asked politely to take a photograph of Miss Winehouse.
I meant to just get her away from me - I was scared Amy Winehouse
Miss Flash was with a drunken friend called Kieran Connelly and as he tried to get into the photo, Miss Winehouse punched Miss Flash to her right eye, the court heard.
Giving evidence Miss Winehouse said: "She moved her left arm to lean down to me and tried to pose next to me.
"Her friend came round in front of us and started taking a picture.
"I was like, 'Do I get a choice in this, hello?'"
Describing the push she said: "It was more like an indication of 'leave me alone, I'm scared of you'.
"I meant to just get her away from me. I was scared."
The singer said she was happy to pose for a photo.
'Reacted badly''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. Mr Thompson said it was likely Miss Flash "annoyed" the singer, but he said: "This was a deliberate assault by Miss Winehouse. She reacted badly to a polite request."
Mr Thompson said: "It may be that it was that that annoyed Miss Winehouse." 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 Miss Winehouse hit her.
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 FlashI 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." 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."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. She called the police after returning to the main entrance, as she began to feel angry.
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."
'Backhand swipe''Backhand swipe'
But he said she told police her only physical reaction was to push Miss Flash away with her forearm. But Mr Thompson said Miss Winehouse told police her only physical reaction was to push Miss Flash away with her forearm.
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. 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.
He told the court: "Miss Winehouse seemed to lash out and arms were flailing. He said: "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.""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". 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. The trial was adjourned for the day.
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Court scrum greets WinehouseCourt scrum greets Winehouse