Dizzee Rascal’s ex-fiancee has spoken out following the grime artist’s conviction for assaulting her, saying “wealth and status cannot be used to silence women”.
Cassandra Jones, who has two children with the rapper, said she had been receiving support from specialist domestic abuse services following the attack.
Real name Dylan Mills, Dizzee Rascal was found guilty on Monday of assaulting Ms Jones by pressing his forehead against hers and pushing her to the ground during a “chaotic” row at a residential property in Streatham, south London, in June 2021.
Following the conviction, Mills, 37, smashed a photographer’s camera outside court.
Ms Jones, speaking after the verdict, said it brought her “no joy” but did help her to “look back on what I experienced and have it recognised by the courts as assault”.
She continued: “Dylan and I were together for a long time, and I loved him very much. He is the father of our two children.”
‘I hope I can now move on with my life’
Ms Jones urged any others affected by domestic violence to contact the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247.
She said: “I have been receiving support from specialist domestic abuse services since last year, and that has helped me process my experiences and move forward.
“None of this has been easy. I understand why so many women drop out of the criminal justice system; this has been really traumatic for me. But I am lucky enough to have had support from the police, my family and friends, and specialist organisations.
“This verdict today shows that wealth and status cannot be used to silence women. One in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime.
“I now ask for privacy to rebuild and reset. I hope I can now move on with my life.”
What was said in court during the trial?
Mills, known for chart-topping hits including Bonkers and Dance Wiv Me, as well as winning the Mercury Prize in 2003 for his debut album, Boy In Da Corner, is due to be sentenced at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 8 April.
The singer and Ms Jones had split up in February 2021.
On the day of the assault, Mills was “frustrated” over custody arrangements regarding their children and the pair had an argument when he dropped off their daughter, his trial was told.
Mills was said to have “barged” into the home, banged his head on a fridge three times while holding his son, and began “screaming and shouting” at Ms Jones and her mother.
When police arrived, Mills said “I’m the aggressor” – but later gave a prepared statement in a police interview, denying the allegations and claiming it was he who had been assaulted by Ms Jones.
Champion boxer David Haye, who has known Mills for 10 years, gave a statement to the court describing the musician as “calm and collected” as evidence of his good character during the trial.
Police have details of smashed camera
Following the verdict, Mills smashed PA news agency photographer James Manning’s camera outside court.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “We are aware of a video that has been shared online showing an incident outside Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on the afternoon of Monday 7 March.
“In the video, a camera is knocked from the hands of a photojournalist and is then thrown across the road.
“Should the photojournalist wish to contact us, if they have not done so already, we will be able to provide the appropriate assistance.”
PA understands Mr Manning has filed a report to the Met and intends to pursue a civil claim.