Dappy faces up to six months in prison for an alleged assault at a petrol station in Guildford, Surrey. The former N-Dubz rapper will stand trial in January, it was announced on Thursday, after proceedings were delayed to accommodate his forthcoming tour.
The 25-year-old and his three co-defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charge of affray. Although it was first proposed that the trial begin on 29 October or 10 December, Dappy's lawyer asked Guildford crown court if the case could be postponed until next year. "My client is in the music industry and he has a number of commitments," Jimmy Vakil told the court, according to the Daily Mail. "One million pounds has been invested in him and the band … The only way this money can be made back is if it's properly promoted."
Certainly a trial – and a potential prison sentence – could put a dampener on the promotion of Dappy's debut album. The singer is accused of participating in a brawl at a petrol station on 28 February. Dappy, whose real name is Dino Contostavlos, and another man allegedly got out of a car around 3:30am, approaching a pair of women and asking if they wanted to join them. When the women refused, they claim they were spat at. "As a result an altercation ensued involving the first two suspects and a further group of up to six men who arrived in two further vehicles," Surrey police said. Three of the women's friends suffered serious facial injuries.
"I have to be fair to the other defendants and witnesses in this case," judge Christopher Critchlow said on Thursday. But the judge ultimately acceded to the defendants' request: the trial will begin on 7 January, lasting between seven and 10 days. "You are all on unconditional bail," Critchlow said.
If convicted Dappy could face up to six months in prison, plus a fine of £5,000. Yet the singer denies the charges, saying he will be vindicated by CCTV footage. "Bunch of liars … Nooooo evidence u scums …" he wrote on Twitter. "Apparently i got arrested 4 talking 2 someones girlfriend in a P station."
Dappy's debut album, Bad Intentions, is due on 1 October.
