Cheryl Tweedy

Cheryl Ann Tweedy (born in Newcastle, England; June 30, 1983) is a British singer and member of the group Girls Aloud.

Nightclub Incident

On January 11 2003 Tweedy was involved in an altercation with a nightclub toilet attendant, Sophie Amogbokpa, in the Drink nightclub in Guildford, UK. Tweedy was subsequently charged with racially aggravated assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. During her trial Tweedy claimed she acted in self defence and denied using racially abusive language.

Related Topics:
January 11 - 2003 - Guildford - Racially - Aggravated assault - Assault

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The jury found her guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but cleared her of the more serious charge of racially aggravated assault. The judge sentenced her to 120 hours of community service and ordered to pay her victim £500 in compensation, as well as £3000 prosecution costs. Critics claimed that the sentence imposed was lenient. Some also believed that Tweedy's record company were planning to drop her if the sentence was harsher.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tweedy faced criticism not only for the initial incident, but also for her subsequent public statements apologising to her fans, record company and bandmates but not to Mrs Amogbokpa. Mrs Amogbokpa then attempted to launch a civil court action against Tweedy, however this never materialised.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tweedy admitted she had acted incorrectly and regretted the incident which took place under the influence of alcohol. She was angered by claims she was racist, citing her friendship with Javine Hylton on Popstars as evidence she was not.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~