Bez convicted of assaulting partner
12/08/2010
Former Happy Mondays star Bez has been convicted of assaulting his ex-partner after flying into an "insane" rage over money.
The musician throttled the mother of his two-year-old son after he accused her of stealing money from him at their home.
According to former girlfriend Monica Ward she feared for her life as the star grabbed her neck and she told Manchester magistrates he was "looking insane". The star then threatened to kill her after she contacted police, she said.
Bez - real name Mark Berry who found fame for his freaky dancing in the popular indie band of the 80s and 90s - claimed he acted in self defence and later labelled the hearing as a "kangaroo court". Magistrates convicted Bez of the assault and using unlawful means to gain entry into a property.
Chair of the bench Marie Cash said they found Miss Ward a "credible" and "convincing" witness. She added: "We are not saying it was a deliberate attack but we do believe that a technical assault took place. We consider this to be at the lower end of the scale."
Following the decision Bez told the bench: "I am appealing this decision to a higher court. It's a kangaroo court, that's what I think."
Sentencing takes place on August 25.
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