Amy Winehouse arrested over 'justice' inquiry

Published on Tuesday 18 December 2007 21:07

AMY Winehouse was arrested yesterday in connection with an investigation into perverting the course of justice.

Blake Fielder-Civil, the singer's husband, is in custody accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman last night confirmed said: "A 24-year-old woman has been arrested by appointment at an east London police station."

Winehouse was released on bail. A spokesman said: "She attended a police station voluntarily and at a pre-agreed time. She was arrested, but that is common practice for someone being interviewed by police. There have been no charges and she has been released."

Fielder-Civil, 25, and Michael Brown are accused of assaulting James King, the landlord of Macbeths public house in Hoxton, London, on 20 June, 2006.

It is alleged that they later conspired to pervert the course of justice by offering Mr King a significant amount of money to withdraw his allegation and leave the country.

Two other men also facing the same charge are Anthony Kelly, 25, from London, and James King, 36, from Risley, Derbyshire. All four have been remanded in custody until 18 January for a "plea and directions" hearing with a trial date pencilled in for June. Fielder-Civil and Brown's trial was adjourned after they were accused of the conspiracy charge.

Winehouse cancelled her remaining UK tour dates after several shambolic performances following her husband's arrest, saying she could not perform "without my Blake". Her record company said the move had been made on the instruction of her doctor.

But it has not been all trouble for the singer. This month, she was nominated for six Grammy awards.

Winehouse's raw and honest sound has earned her a string of honours, including the coveted best female solo artist at the Brit Awards. She wowed the crowds at the MTV Europe Music Awards in October with her mumbling version of hit single Back To Black after scooping the Artists' Choice award.

Since finding fame, Winehouse has spoken openly about her struggles with eating disorders. She cancelled a series of European gigs after suffering from "severe exhaustion".

Her father Mitch, a London taxi driver, said in October that he was so concerned about his daughter he had written a eulogy he expected to deliver at her funeral. He said she had cut down on her drinking, but was still battling with bulimia and drug addiction.

Rehab, the first single from her album, is about her refusal to seek help at a clinic for people with alcohol problems. The troubled star was admitted to a London hospital in the summer and was said to have come close to death after taking cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine and marijuana.

She was discovered while performing with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and signed to a division of 19 Management, the media empire of the Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller.