THIS is the moment N Dubz star and Celebrity Big Brother runner-up Dappy slapped a man in a Chelmsford nightclub.

The rapper was found guilty of assault by Chelmsford Magistrates' yesterday.

He had been at city centre nightspot Chicagos on Thursday, February 27, as a special guest, doing a meet and greet.

Dappy, 27, whose real name is Dino Contostavlos, was fined £800 and forced to pay £930 in costs plus a victim surcharge of £80 after being found guilty of assaulting clubber George Chittock.

The singer denied the charge of assault by beating, claiming he struck Mr Chittock in self defence.

This CCTV footage of the alleged attack, lasting about 10 seconds, was played to the court.

Contostavlos and Mr Chittock were in a smoking area along with Contostavlos's minder and two of the club's own door staff at about 2am when he was seen to slap Mr Chittock.

Magistrates said they found Contostavlos was not under any physical threat at the time of the incident.

He held his head in his hands as the verdict was delivered.

Summing up the case, prosecutor Jacqueline Carey had told the court: "It is no defence for anybody, celebrity or otherwise, to say 'I lashed out because he was rude to me'."

Thurrock Gazette: George Chittock

George Chittock at court yesterday