Dizzee Rascal has been given a one-year restraining order and a 24-week curfew for assaulting his former fiancee, Cassandra Jones. The 37-year-old rapper, whose real name is Dylan Kwabena Mills, had denied assault by beating but was found guilty of attacking Jones during a 'chaotic' row about custody arrangements regarding their two children.
During sentencing at London Croydon Magistrates' Court, district judge Polly Gledhill told Mills he wanted him to work on how he thinks and behaves as he 'lost his temper and used violence'. She added that he had shown 'no remorse for this matter' and continued 'to place the blame on Ms Jones - the victim in this case'.
Mills did not comment after the pre-sentence reports were read out in court. The rapper has avoided jail but as part of his community order he must wear an electronic tag.
Mills was found guilty in March, and a video of the rapper smashing a photographer's camera after he left the court was widely shared on social media.
After the verdict, Cassandra Jones also spoke out about how difficult it is for victims of abuse to come forward - and urged those affected by domestic violence to contact the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247. Jones said at the time: ‘I have been receiving support from specialist domestic abuse services since last year, and that has helped me process my experiences and move forward.'
‘None of this has been easy. I understand why so many women drop out of the criminal justice system; this has been really traumatic for me,' she continued. 'But I am lucky enough to have had support from the police, my family and friends, and specialist organisations. This verdict shows that wealth and status cannot be used to silence women. One in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime.’
She has not yet commented on today's sentencing.
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