Hear that? It’s the sound of the world’s population releasing a collective sigh of relief after learning Amy Winehouse has been acquitted of assaulting a professional dancer.
The verdict came down today in the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court as District Judge Timothy Workman found the 25-year-old singer not guilty of punching Sherene Flash in the face during the End of Summer Ball in London last September.
Both sides agreed Flash approached Winehouse at the charity event and asked to take a photograph of the singer. What happened after that depends on which side was doing the talking.
Prosecutors claimed Winehouse deliberately hit Flash. Winehouse claimed Flash was intoxicated and therefore intimidated her. The singer also said she was too short to punch the dancer in the face.
“I was scared," Winehouse said Thursday. “I thought ‘People are mad these days, people are just rude and mad, or people can't handle their drink.’”
In his ruling the judge said he could not be sure if Winehouse deliberately hit Flash.
“The charge is dismissed and the defendant discharged,” Workman said.
And Winehouse? After today’s verdict the singer was heard to say, “I’m relieved. I’m going home.”