Dappy Found Guilty of Essex Nightclub Assault

Former N-Dubz singer Dappy held his head in his hands as he was convicted of assaulting a man at a nightclub in Essex.

The 27-year-old heard himself described as " polarising figure" at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

Dappy - real name Dino Costas Contostavlos, attacked George Chittock by slapping him in the face while the pair were in the smoking area of the venue, in February.

The court heard earlier he had been told to "suck your dead dad" prior to the incident.

Convicting Dappy, chair of the bench Angela Tucker said he was no under threat when he lashed out at Chittock.

Lawyer Jon Harrison said in mitigation for the high-profile entertainer that he was a "polarising figure."

He said: "It was no doubt a regrettable incident but one that was over very quickly and left a person red faced and very, very angry.

"He is a polarising figure who is clearly liked by a great many people but he is equally disliked by many others."

Earlier, prosecutor Jacqueline Carey said: "It is no defence for anybody, celebrity or otherwise, to say 'I lashed out because he was rude to me.'"

Dappy appeared in Celebrity Big Brother earlier this and was joined at court by comic Jim Davidson, who offered moral support.