Lady Leshurr attacked by security dog, court hears

Lady Leshurr is accused of attacking two women during a fight in Leyton

Rapper Lady Leshurr was attacked by a "security dog" during a fight with her ex-girlfriend and her then partner, a court has heard.

The 35-year-old artist, whose real name is Melesha O'Garro, is accused of assaulting Sidnee Hussein and Chante Boyea in Leyton on 22 October 2022.

Ms O'Garro was "angry, drunk (and) out of control" during the altercation, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

The rapper denies two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

She is on trial alongside Sherelle Smith, 29, from Yardley, Birmingham, who denies one count of the same charge.

Giving evidence from behind a screen on Thursday, Ms Hussein claimed the rapper headbutted her during the fight on Knotts Green Road, Walthamstow.

Ms Hussein added: "[Ms O'Garro] was swinging her head forward, trying to bite me, being aggressive."

However, the defendants claim they were the ones who were attacked.

'Weapon'

Defence lawyer Ronnie Bergenthal has told jurors that security officer Ms Boyea used her Belgian Malinois dog Toby "as a weapon" against Ms O'Garro.

Ms Boyea and Ms Hussein insisted Toby remained in the boot of Ms Boyea's car during the incident, the court heard.

In cross examination on Thursday, Mr Bergenthal suggested Ms Hussein and Ms Boyea launched an "aggressive assault" on Ms O'Garro.

Ms Hussein told the court: "I don't believe I caused [O'Garro] any injuries."

'Two dogs'

The prosecution case is that Ms Hussein rushed to Ms Boyea's aid from a nearby house after the defendants launched their attack and was unwittingly followed by their pet dog.

Ryan Evans, for Ms Smith, suggested there "were two dogs on the road" and that one of those dogs bit Ms Smith.

He further suggested that Ms Hussein bit Ms Smith on the arm.

"I don't bite people," Ms Hussein told the court.

Lady Leshurr, from Kingshurst, Solihull, previously hosted a weekly show on Saturdays on BBC Radio 1Xtra.

The trial continues.

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