Sugababes star Amelle Berrabah convicted of assault

Sugababes star Amelle Berrabah has apologised to fans after being convicted of assault.

The singer left scratch marks on Danielle Dodoo's neck after grabbing her in the VIP area of Alto - owned by Berrabah's boyfriend Tom Benn - in London's Soho, The Sun reports.

Dodoo had asked Berrabah to watch where she was going, which prompted the altercation, the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

"She was slurring," Dodoo said. "She kind of leaned up towards my face and said something like she was going to bite my nose off. She had her hand around my neck and it must have been there for a few seconds."

Berrabah denied common assault but was found guilty and let off with a conditional discharge after being ordered to pay £250 compensation. District Judge Michael Snow told her she had inflicted "nasty, unpleasant" injuries.

"Following my conviction for assault today, I would like to offer my unreserved apologies to the band's fans, my bandmates, our record label and my family," Berrabah said. "I fully respect the Court's verdict and am pleased that the Judge saw fit to impose only a sentence of conditional discharge.

"Although I was subjected to provocation on the evening in question I do not condone violence under any circumstances and would urge anybody who finds themselves in similar circumstances to show restraint and walk away."

Berrabah was charged with drink driving in 2010 and later given a 14-month driving ban.

Watch Amelle Berrabah in Sugababes's video for 'Freedom' below: