Rapper Dappy Given Suspended Prison Sentence for Woodbridge Road Affray

Published on: 15 Feb, 2013
Updated on: 18 Feb, 2013

Contostavlos emerges from court having received a non-custodial sentence.

Dino Costas Contostalvos, 25, more commonly known as ‘Dappy’, has today (February 15) been given a six-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, following a hearing at Guildford Crown Court.

He was also ordered to complete 150 hours unpaid work and must pay the victims a total of £4,500 and pay £2,000 in costs.

The maximum sentence that could have been awarded was three years imprisonment. Two other men sentenced today, for the same incident, did receive prison sentences.

The N-Dubz star broke down in tears and shouted “yes” after hearing that he had avoided a custodial sentence.

Contostalvos was found guilty of an affray and an assault by beating, which involved him spitting at a man at a previous hearing.

Judge Neil Stewart told Dappy that because he had showed remorse for the offences he had decided to suspend the sentence.

Dappy hugs two fans as he walks from the court house.

The judge said: “The report I have on you suggests you do not present overtly criminal attitudes and this offence has been a wake-up call for you.

“Spitting at someone is a repulsive action and is more serious because you have done something similar in the past.

“Even on that aggravation, the offence would not be so serious as to merit a prison sentence.

The rapper was found not guilty of two further offences of assault against two young women following the affray at the Shell garage in Woodbridge Road on February 28, 2012.

Alfred James Miller, 28, of Brook Road South, Middlesex, was sentenced to 19 months in prison and was ordered to pay a total of £4,500 in compensation and £1,000 in costs. He admitted affray at a previous hearing.

Kieran Patrick Vassell, 25, of Chambon Place, Hammersmith, London, was sentenced to 14 months in prison, was ordered to pay a total £1,500 in compensation and £500 in costs. He was found guilty of affray at a previous hearing.

Detective Constable Alex Boxall investigating officer said: “I hope the sentencing today of Dino Costas Contostalvos demonstrates that he will be making amends in public for his actions nearly a year ago on the forecourt of a petrol station in Guildford which left three men suffering serious facial injuries.

“He is a popular rapper who commands a large following and as a high profile musician in the public eye, it is important that the public see that there are consequences for committing such acts of unprovoked violence.

“Surrey Police will always pursue anyone who demonstrates this type of aggressive behaviour and the sentencing today follows a robust investigation to find those responsible for the affray and bring them to justice.”