Scots pop star admits assault on girlfriend

THE keyboard player with Scottish pop group Wet Wet Wet has admitted assaulting his girlfriend.

Neil Mitchell, 44, was due to stand trial at Kingston Crown Court in Surrey yesterday morning, but changed his plea at the last minute.

A previous court hearing was told he drunkenly punched and kicked Olivia Warren during a row at her home in south-west London last July, and pulled her hair.

He had earlier denied assaulting her, causing actual bodily harm, when he appeared at West London Magistrates' Court in October.

The nine-minute hearing at the court in Surrey was told that the pair hoped to have a future together despite the attack, which left Miss Warren with a black eye.

However, Mitchell, of Cleveden Road, Glasgow, has been banned from contacting Miss Warren either directly or indirectly, or entering the road where she lives in Fulham.

The musician, who hit the charts with songs including Love is All Around, Angel Eyes and Goodnight Girl, was released on bail by Judge Susan Matthews, QC.

He will be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on 14 June.