Court rap for Mel B
SPICE Girl Mel B could face jail for causing delays in her domestic violence trial against ex-husband Stephen Belafonte.
Judge Mark Juhas vowed that there would be “no more delays” in the case as the X Factor judge failed to attend a deposition.
She is in court demanding restraining orders against her former spouse and their ex-nanny Lorraine Gilles. But she could be in trouble herself for contempt of court after causing constant delays in the case.
Mel shocked Judge Juhas when it was revealed she was shooting a commercial in Australia rather than attending court.
This news came after she inexplicably ran out of the first hearing, in which she was quizzed about her marital life.
But her new lawyers convinced Judge Juhas to give her one final chance, claiming there had been a “misunderstanding” on dates as she had switched counsel. Judge Juhas has now stated that Mel’s trial will start on November 13 – or under LA Superior Court rules she could be jailed for five days and fined more than £750. This means she will have to fly back from Australia to attend.
Mel and former film producer Belafonte – who have a daughter, Madison, six, together – are in court over claims of domestic violence.
They will face each other in another case to determine their divorce settlement.
The pop star is also at war with their ex-nanny Lorraine, who is demanding millions after Mel branded her a “prostitute” and “homewrecker”.
Mel alleges that her ex drugged her through much of their marriage, though his legal team claim they have evidence to show her “habitual and consistent addiction” to cocaine and alcohol.