Singer's husband in conspiracy trial

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-11  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE husband of British pop singer Amy Winehouse beat up a pub landlord and then offered him 200,000 pounds (US$390,863) to keep quiet about the attack, a prosecutor said yesterday.

Prosecution lawyer Sean Larkin said barman James King suffered a broken cheekbone in the June 2006 attack by Winehouse's spouse, Blake Fielder-Civil, and another man - but was willing to accept money to spare his attackers jail.

King, 36, is on trial for conspiring to pervert the course of justice. He denies the charge.

Larkin told the jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court that "the deal was that Mr King would prepare what is known as a withdrawal or retraction statement saying that he would not turn up to give evidence to the trial, that he would leave the country so that the court or the police would not be able to find him to bring him to court for the trial and that Mr King expected to be paid something in the order of 200,000 pounds."

Fielder-Civil, 26, pleaded guilty last week to perverting the course of justice, and also admitted assault. He faces a jail term when he is sentenced later. The trial continues.