Winehouse 'hit dancer over photo'

The court was told Amy Winehouse hit Sherene Flash in the eye

Singer Amy Winehouse reacted with "unjustifiable violence" when a dancer asked her for a photograph at a charity ball, a court has heard.

She allegedly punched Sherene Flash at the summer ball in Berkeley Square, central London, last September.

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, 25, who denies assault, told Westminster Magistrates' Court that she was scared of Miss Flash.

The incident happened in a dressing room after midnight on 26 September.

The singer said she had gone to the event to support her goddaughter who was performing there.

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'

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."

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.

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 called the police after returning to the main entrance, as she began to feel angry.

'Backhand swipe'

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.

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."

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 was adjourned for the day.

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