British rapper Dizzee Rascal was sentenced on Friday (April 8) for assaulting his ex-fiancée Cassandra Jones at her south London home last June.
As reported by Billboard, the “Bonkers” rapper was convicted in March of headbutting and assaulting Jones during a heated dispute over money and custody arrangements for their two kids.
Neighbors had heard the argument unfolding and called the police, who said Rascal, upon their arrival, admitted to being the “aggressor” of the dispute. The 37-year-old artist was taken into custody and then gave a prepared statement denying allegations of assault. He claimed his ex-finacée had actually assaulted him because he had banged his head on the fridge a few times.
On Friday (April 8), District Judge Polly Gledhill at Croydon Magistrates’ Court in south London informed Rascal, full name Dylan Kwabena Mills, that he must wear an electronic tag for 24-weeks and observe a nightly curfew. The rapper will also have a 12-month restraining order placed upon him so he can’t go near Jones.
Gledhill concluded by saying Rascal demonstrated “no remorse for this matter” and said throughout the trial he continued “to place the blame on Ms. Jones — the victim in this case.”
Dizzee Rascal is considered to be one of grime’s founding fathers. He released his debut Boy In Da Corner in 2003, which went on to win a Mercury Prize and is now considered a classic of the grime subgenre. His follow-up projects include Showtime, Maths + English and Tongue n’ Cheek, the latter of which was eventually certified platinum in the United Kingdom.
Revisit Dizzee Rascal’s biggest hit “Dance Wiv Me” below.