Rod son: Truth will prevail over fight charge
Rod Stewart ‘threw punch ’ but son says truth will out
ROD Stewart’s son Sean yesterday said he is confident both will overturn charges of assault at a children’s party.
He insisted “the truth will prevail” after the pair were accused of attacking a security guard at the New Year’s Eve do in Florida.
Cops were called to Breakers Resort in Palm Beach after the alleged victim Jessie Dixon claimed that rock legend Sir Rod, 74, “threw a punch” at him.
But Sean, 39, insisted it was Dixon who was “being very aggressive”.
He said: “My dad always taught me to stick up for my family and my loved ones. That’s what I did and the truth will prevail.”
Mr Dixon claims he was assaulted after Tonight’s The Night singer Sir Rod, his son and their group – which included children – tried to access a private event at the upmarket resort.
In a police report he says “the group was loud, caused a scene and refused to follow instructions to leave”.
He claims he was “shoved backwards” by Sean who had allegedly gone “nose-to-nose” with him – then “punched in the left ribcage” by Sir Rod.
A friend of Mr Dixon said yesterday: “Jessie had given up his New Year’s Eve to earn extra money but has been left quite shaken by what happened.
“Rod and Sean took exception to not being allowed into the party. It turned ugly when Jessie refused them entry.
“Though there was no drink around the kids’ party it was clear to him Rod’s group had consumed quite a bit.
“He was shocked and angry at how quickly events turned, which why he wanted to have charges pressed.
“He’s calming down but is still disturbed by how things became so heated when there were children around.”
Sir Rod and Sean were questioned by officers and said their family “approached the check-in table and attempted to have children in their group gain access.”
After being denied access, Sir Rod claimed, the security guard “became argumentative with his family, which in turn caused them to become agitated”.
Police claimed he “apologised for his behaviour”.
Officers said video of the drama shows Sir Rod and Sean as the “primary aggressors” and both have been charged with misdemeanour battery.
They are due in court on February 5. Sources say neither were detained by cops.
The police report says sworn witness statements and “video footage depicting the altercations show evidence that Roderick Stewart did not intentionally strike Dixon against his will”.
But it adds: “Probable cause exists to charge Roderick Stewart with simple battery.”
In Florida law, simple battery is a first-degree misdemeanour, with penalties of up to a year in jail.
Last night Sir Rod declined to comment.