Daily Express

11th hour deal ends court case for Mel B

-

MEL B settled cases against her estranged husband and their former nanny yesterday, averting a damaging trial at the last minute.

The former Spice Girl, 42, had claimed that Stephen Belafonte subjected her to years of physical and mental abuse and their former nanny, Lorraine Gilles, conspired with him to threaten to release explicit videos of her.

Mr Belafonte, 42, and Ms Gilles denied the allegation­s, while Mr Belafonte claimed her “habitual and consistent addiction” to cocaine and alcohol was a major issue in their marriage.

The Leeds-born judge on America’s Got Talent, real name Melanie Brown, applied for restrainin­g orders against the pair after she filed for divorce in Los Angeles’ Superior Court.

A trial was due to hear further damaging claims and view intimate videos involving the singer.

Judge Mark Juhas told the court the case had been resolved and the temporary restrainin­g orders dissolved.

A source close to Mr Belafonte said the agreement included “substantia­l custodial time” with his six-yearold daughter with Brown. Divorce hearings between Brown and Belafonte, who married in 2007, can now begin.

 ??  ?? Mel B agreed settlement
Mel B agreed settlement

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom