Wet Wet Wet star punched girlfriend in drunken argument

THE keyboard player from Scottish pop group Wet Wet Wet was yesterday ordered to take part in a domestic violence programme after he admitted assaulting his girlfriend.

Kingston Crown Court heard that Neil Mitchell, 45, pushed and punched his partner during a drunken row at her home in Fulham, south west London, last July.

The court heard that Olivia Warren suffered a black eye and a bruised shoulder blade as a result of the attack.

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The couple argued after they consumed three bottles of wine, said Jill Evans, mitigating.

She said Mitchell's behaviour was "out of character".

"He is a small man physically and he has always been seen as a gentle man," said Ms Evans.

"On this afternoon they had shared three bottles of wine.

"He accepts that he punched a woman in the face and that is something that he is deeply ashamed of."

The 5ft 4in musician, who hit the charts with songs including Love Is All Around, Angel Eyes and Goodnight Girl, sought help from a psychotherapist after the incident.

Miss Warren had trouble sleeping and was prescribed Valium to help, said prosecutor James Edenborough.

Mitchell, of Cleveden Road, Glasgow, had earlier denied assaulting Miss Warren – causing actual bodily harm – but changed his plea.

The court in Surrey heard the pair still hope to have a future together despite the attack.

Sentencing, Judge Shani Barnes handed him a two-year community order with the condition that he attends a domestic violence programme.

Mitchell declined to comment as he left the court.