Naomi Campbell on notice with New York muni courts

By Stone Martindale Sep 27, 2006, 20:42 GMT

British model Naomi Campbell EPA/GUIDO MANUILO

NEW YORK- Volatile model Naomi Campbell failed to show up in court on Wednesday on charges of attacking her housekeeper, and the judge said he would order her arrest if she didn't make it for her next court date.

Campbell, 36, faces charges of second-degree assault and could be jailed for up to seven years if convicted.  According to Reuters.

New York prosecutors say she threw a blackberry at her housekeeper, Ana Scolavino, hitting her on the back of the head, and the woman needed four stitches to close the wound.

"She is absolutely obligated to appear at the next court date or the law will go into effect. A bench warrant will be issued," an annoyed Judge James Gibbons of the Manhattan Criminal Court told defence attorney David Breitbart in adjourning the case to November 15.

The lawyer had wanted to explain Campbell's absence to the judge privately, but Gibbons denied the request and insisted he speak on the record.

"The press is all over this girl. There are over 100 cameramen outside this courthouse," attorney Breitbart protested.

Gibbons abruptly cut him off saying, "They have a right to be here."

Then turning to the prosecutor, he asked incredulously, "The defendant failed to appear today and you are not asking for a bench warrant?"

"Yes," replied assistant district attorney Christian Browne who told the judge that a possible plea deal was still being worked out.

Outside the courtroom, Breitbart refused to elaborate on why Campbell was not in court, saying "She has a right to privacy."

Two other employees have sued Campbell this year claiming they were assaulted by the model.

In 2000, she pleaded guilty in a Canadian court for assaulting another former assistant with a telephone. In that case she settled and paid off the plaintiff and attended anger management classes.