Gulzar must wait for 'slapping' trial

The ex-husband of Spice Girl Mel B was today told he must wait for four months for his trial for allegedly assaulting a three-year-old autistic boy.

Jimmy Gulzar, 34, is accused of slapping the boy across the buttocks in the children's play area at London Zoo in September.

He has pleaded not guilty to common assault and arrived at Horseferry Road magistrates court where his trial was due to start.

However, after prolonged legal argument the case was adjourned until a pre-trial review in March before the beginning on 8 April of the full trial, expected to last two and a half days and involve up to 17 witnesses.

Gulzar was remanded on unconditional bail and district judge Philip Gillibrand said the adjournment was in the public interest.

The former dancer for the Spice Girls married "Scary Spice" Melanie Brown in 1998, but the marriage soon ran into difficulties. After 16 months Gulzar won £700,000 in the divorce settlement.