Phil Spector beaten in Jail?

Mar 23, 2010, 7:01 GMT

Phil Spector allegedly lost some of his teeth after being involved in a brawl in jail.

The legendary music producer - who was jailed last June for 19 years for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson - has reportedly been in a number of fights since he got to jail, and had some of his teeth knocked out in one brawl.

Spector's friend Steven Escobar, said: "Phil has quite a mouth on him. Not everyone understands his humour. He said the wrong thing to the wrong inmate in the yard.

"He mouthed off to a big guy, who punched him. At first, Phil said he fell down a flight of stairs. Later, he told family and friends what really happened."

Escobar said the star had suffered a bruised nose, a black eye and two missing teeth in the violent beating.

His account has, however, been denied by Spector's wife, 29-year-old Rachelle, who claims her husband - who invented the 'Wall Of Sound' production technique - is well liked among the population at the Corcoran prison in California.

She said: "Phil was not assaulted. Absolutely not. Anyone who meets Phil loves him. He's so freaking funny. He's an idol to the other inmates. They look out for him."

She also added that Spector had treatment for "an abscess and issues with crowns and implants" at a dentist in December.

A spokesperson for the prison said they had no record of Spector being involved in any reported altercations.

Earlier this month Spector, 70, launched an appeal against his murder conviction, claiming he was denied the right to a fair trial.