Supermodel Campbell pleads guilty to cell-phone assault

Supermodel Campbell pleads guilty to cell-phone assault

Last updated at 17:42pm on 16th January 2007 Phone rage: Campbell admitted throwing the phone in her Park Avenue apartment

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge of reckless assault in New York.

Following a plea bargain with prosecutors at Manhattan Criminal Court, she was sentenced to five days' community service and a two-day anger management course, and ordered to pay medical bills of $363.33 dollars for her injured housekeeper, who was hurt when Campbell threw a mobile phone.

In court, Campbell admitted throwing the phone in her Park Avenue apartment but said she did not intend it to hit maid Ana Scolavino, who needed four stitches after the incident.

She said: "I am advised that Ana was hurt, and I am deeply sorry about that."

Sporting a short bobbed haircut with a fringe, and wearing a pencil skirt, 4in heels and a voluminous Louis Vuitton jacket, Campbell told the judge:

"I have an apartment at 500 Park Avenue. Ana Scolavino was an employee of mine. During the morning of March 30, 2006, I threw a cellphone in the apartment. The cellphone hit Ana. That was an accident because I did not intend to hit her."

The British model's lawyer, David Breitbart, asked that her community service be an indoor task rather than something like sweeping the streets. This was for Campbell's safety, he explained. Judge Robert Mandelbaum said he would note the request.

Assistant District Attorney Shanda Strain said: "If that's what is available at the time she goes to do the community service that is acceptable."

Campbell had been due to give a statement outside court, but changed her mind when she saw the scrum of photographers.

Mr Breitbart said she had been planning to say that pleading guilty was "the best way that she knows how to say that she is sorry to Ana".

He said the judge had recommended indoor community service, which could be something like working in a school or hospital doing secretarial or accounting duties.

Mr Breitbart said it was possible the maid's lawyers would now file a civil suit against Campbell.