Detective Constable Russ Cannon, who led the investigation, said: "The conviction in court today, following a thorough investigation, sends out a clear message that offences of this nature will not be tolerated.

"ABH is a serious offence and will always be dealt with accordingly."

Cheryl in court part 3 - 20/10/03
The jury on the court case has heard that Cheryl Tweedy from Girls Aloud is ’not above the law because she is a celebrity’.

Prosecuting counsel Patricia Lees said that Cheryl had experienced a few weeks of "meteoric success" and was "full of her own self-importance" on the night she allegedly punched Sophie Amogbokpa, the toilet attendant at The Drink nightclub in Guildford. The court also heard her claim Cheryl has lied about events because there was ’a lot of things riding on it for her’ and that ’you just have to think about allegations of inebriated rock stars behaving as though nobody else is important and they can do what they like.’

Cheryl denies racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The case continues.

Cheryl in court part 2 - 17/10/03
Cheryl Tweedy from girl group Girls Aloud has broken down in tears during her court appearance on the ongoing case.

She has told the court that she only punched the toilet attendant, 39-year-old Sophie Amogbokpa as she was ’scared’ and that Sophie threw the first punch. Cheryl said she picked up some lollypops and reached into her bag to find money to pay when she was hit in the right side of her face. She was ’stunned’ by the blow and shouted to fellow band member Nicola Roberts to fetch the club’s manager. Cheryl went on to say she felt "scared, upset and angry" and was worried about what was going to happen next.

Cheryl said: "As I took the lollipops it became apparent that there was a problem. I do not remember what she (Mrs Amogbokpa) was saying but she was gesturing with her hands and she was ranting and raving. At first I thought maybe it was the amount I was taking. I always intended to pay ... it did not make any difference as far as I was concerned."

When Nicola was called to give evidence she said Mrs Amogbokpa punched Cheryl twice in the face before Cheryl hit back.

Nicola said "She (Tweedy) just retaliated in self defence as anybody would if they had been punched in the face."

Under cross-examination the singer denied having made up the story about the two punches to help her friend and insisted she would never lie for anybody.

"I’m not going to lie for anybody," replied Miss Roberts. "At the end of the day it’s my life, my career, I’m not going to lie for anybody."

The case continues.

Cheryl in court - 09/10/03
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy is in court to face up to charges of racially aggravated common assault.

She is alleged to have attacked a 39-year-old toilet attendant in The Drink nightclub in Guildford. Cheryl was out on the night in question having a drink (funnily enough) with fellow band member Nicola. Both girls were guzzling champers in the VIP area before going to the toilets, where law student Sophie Amogbokpa was working as the toilet attendant.