Winehouse denies assault

TROUBLED singer Amy Winehouse today denied assaulting a woman after a charity ball.

The 25-year-old appeared in court in a floral summer outfit to plead 'not guilty' to an alleged attack in central London's Berkeley Square last year.

Asked to give her full name as she stood in the dock at Westminster Magistrates' Court, the star replied in a confident, clear voice: "Amy Jade Civil."

Her lawyer, Mark Haslam, apologised to District Judge Timothy Workman for the singer's late arrival at court.

He said she left home at 8.15am but experienced some delay. He said: "I do apologise to the court on her behalf."

Winehouse's father Mitch attended the hearing.

The singer appeared to be listening to the proceedings but fidgeted in her seat, adjusting the straps on her dress.

The court heard the common assault charge she faced was that on September 25 2008 at Berkeley Square, London W1, she assaulted Sherene Flash by beating her.

Asked how she pleaded, she said: "Not guilty."

The case was adjourned to July 23 at the same court.

She had smiled to a large crowd of photographers and reporters as she arrived at court sporting a colourful, floral outfit and her trademark beehive hair-do.

Looking sun-tanned followed her extended holiday in the Caribbean, the singer, who was wearing high heels, appeared to stumble as she left the courtroom before being ushered into a side room to speak to her lawyer.

She was greeted by a large scrum of photographers and press when she left the court in Horseferry Road.

Police officers and her own security staff helped her into a waiting people carrier.

Asked how she was feeling, she said: "I'm all right, thanks."

The district judge agreed that her address could be listed as care of her lawyer's office at 51 Lincoln Inn Fields.

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