Camera phone delays Bellamy case

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The assault trial of Premiership footballer Craig Bellamy was briefly halted after a claim that photographs were taken of him in court.

The Wales and Liverpool star is on trial at Cardiff Magistrates Court, where he denies assaulting two women.

The case was halted after the judge was told an usher had seen a mobile phone's camera being placed against the window of the court door.

Police were sent to the court foyer, where they questioned several people.

The 27-year-old Cardiff-born player denies common assault against Sophie Palmer, 19, and her friend Holly Smith, 20, at the No 10 club in Cardiff city centre early on 5 February.

The footballer's friend, Franklin Lynch, 52, of Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, also denies one count of common assault against Ms Palmer.

The trial was in its fifth day when it was halted by district judge John Charles for the alleged contempt of court.

Previously, the court has heard claims the striker held Ms Palmer by the throat and grabbed Ms Smith's arm and pushed her into a wall after an exchange of words in a corridor at the nightclub.

But the player has said he was slapped by Ms Palmer following the exchange.

The trial continues.