This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-27487020
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Pop star Tulisa faced blogger's 'vendetta', a court hears | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Celebrity blogger Savvas Morgan, who accuses former X-Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos of assault, had called her a "slag" and a "whore", a court heard. | |
Mr Morgan said his eye swelled after the alleged altercation on 18 August during last year's V Festival. | |
The 25-year-old former N-Dubz singer denies assault by beating. | |
Her assistant, Gareth Varey, 28, denies a charge of threatening behaviour. The trial at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court in Essex continues. | |
The blogger was in the VIP area of the festival at its Chelmsford site when the alleged assault took place. | The blogger was in the VIP area of the festival at its Chelmsford site when the alleged assault took place. |
Ms Contostavlos told the court the blogger had a "strange obsession" with her. | |
The incident was nothing more than a "playground slanging match" which had been used by Mr Morgan as part of his "vendetta" against her, the court heard. | |
Ms Contostavlos went on to tell the court he made reference to her mother's mental illness. | |
However, she added that she "swore" at him when he allegedly tried to follow her back to her Winnebago at the festival. | |
She said: "I cannot believe it has been taken to this point and I'm standing here today." | |
'Hands behind back' | |
Police statements given by Mr Varey and Ms Contostavlos were read to the court. | Police statements given by Mr Varey and Ms Contostavlos were read to the court. |
In her statement, the singer said Mr Morgan bore "considerable ill-feeling and resentment" towards her. | |
This allegedly followed an incident at a Mayfair nightclub in which she asked security to request Mr Morgan to leave after he attempted to join her in a VIP area | |
Returning to the alleged assault, the statement continued: "At no point was I threatening or abusive towards him. | |
"In fact, I had my hands behind my back as I knew he was capable of inventing assault claims as he had done against Gareth in the past." | "In fact, I had my hands behind my back as I knew he was capable of inventing assault claims as he had done against Gareth in the past." |
Det Sgt Amanda White told the court that stars who witnessed the incident, including singer and rapper Misha B, Sugababes singer Mutya Buena, singer Alexandra Burke and rapper Wretch 32, were all asked through their representatives to give statements but none had been received. | |
Previous version
1
Next version