Amy Winehouse denies assaulting fan

Singer Amy Winehouse turned a court appearance into a spring fashion show today as she pleaded not guilty to assaulting a fan at a party last year.

The 25-year-old star known for battles with addiction and frequent run-ins with the law stepped out of a car wearing a low-cut floral mini-dress and her trademark beehive hairdo. Paparazzi flashed away at their first sighting of the diva since she returned from an extended break on the Caribbean island of St Lucia.

Winehouse, who has been in and out of rehab, looked healthier than in recent appearances and appeared to be in good spirits. She covered her bosom in faux modesty as she entered the courtroom.

Once inside the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, she confirmed her name and date of birth and pleaded not guilty to a charge of common assault.

Winehouse gave her name as Amy Jade Civil. Her husband of two years, Blake Fielder-Civil, has filed for divorce.

Her lawyer, Mark Haslam, apologised for what he called the singer's slightly late arrival in court, saying she had left her north London home more than two hours earlier but had been delayed.

Judge Timothy Workman ordered Winehouse to attend a new hearing at the same court on 23 July. She was released on unconditional bail.

Winehouse recently left Camden for the more sleepy Hadley Wood area of Enfield, north London.