Former 'Another Level' pop star Dane Bowers, who was convicted for assaulting his ex- girlfriend Sophia Cahill, has just received a suspended jail sentence.
District Judge Andrew Sweet ruled not to send Bowers to jail because of the long term impact that the case might bring to his reputation, as per Telegraph.
Dane and Sophia brought the matter to court after she accused him of attacking her in January this year. She claimed that she and Bowers had a quarrel after she questioned him as to why he had glitter on his face after he returned from a nightclub. But the verbal argument escalated to violent confrontation, including pulling her by the hair, hitting her repeatedly in the face and pinning her to the bed by her throat. However, Bowers has denied the allegations, but was still convicted.
Bowers was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment, which is being suspended for 18 months. "This offence passes the custody threshold," the judge said as per contactmusic. "I'm going to suspend that imprisonment because the impact of imprisonment would be considerable. There would be the impact on your reputation and no doubt that would last for a period of time."
During the hearing, Miss Cahill said that she went through counselling in the aftermath of the attack. She also said she suffered miscarriage back in March, due to stress which she claimed she suffered for months.
"The first few months after the attack I was disorientated, filled with anxiety and disbelief," Cahill recalled to the court. "I made mistakes in believing Dane would change. I feel weak, misled and scared... I am scared for many reasons, including the impact on my children and the way I have been portrayed in the media."
John Blandford, Bowers' defense counsel, however, said Miss Cahill was just "exaggerating."
Bowers had previously admitted making contact with Miss Cahill during brawl at their home in Croydon but claimed it was just an accident, BBC reported.
