Leona assault accused 'not fit' for court
Leona Lewis assault accused 'not fit' for court
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By James Christie. |  |
Monday, 26, Oct 2009 12:49
By Lewis Bazley.
The man accused of assaulting X Factor winner Leona Lewis is not fit to attend court, a judge heard today.
Peter Kowalczyk, 29, was charged with common assault after allegedly punching Lewis as she signed copies of her new book earlier this month.
A hearing at City of Westminster magistrates' court heard he had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act after the incident and was being examined by psychiatrists.
District judge Daphne Wickham has adjourned the case until November 23rd, with Kowalczyk in secure accommodation at Lambeth hospital in south London.
He has unconditional bail but, under the terms of the Mental Health Act, is not permitted to leave hospital.
Kowalczyk's solicitor Mark Fiddler said the results of psychiatric testing would determine the approach taken to the case.
Bleeding Love singer Lewis, who been signing copies of her upcoming autobiography Dreams, said in a statement she had been left "extremely hurt and upset" by the incident on October 14th.
She later cancelled a planned promotional visit to Germany after her appearance at Waterstone's was cut short following the alleged punch.
The winner of The X Factor in 2006, Lewis has sold more than five million albums and been nominated for three Grammys.