British star Winehouse's husband in the dock

British star Winehouse's husband in the dock

LONDON (AFP) - The husband of British pop star Amy Winehouse was remanded in custody after appearing in a London court Saturday on a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.Blake Fielder-Civil, 25, is accused of trying to persuade a man he allegedly assaulted to withdraw from giving evidence during his trial, which was due to start Monday.

During his appearance at Thames Magistrates' Court in east London, a tearful Winehouse looked on from the public gallery, mouthing: "I love you" at Fielder-Civil.

Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty, a friend of Winehouse and himself no stranger to court appearances after a string of drugs charges, was also in the public gallery for part of the hearing.

Fielder-Civil was remanded in custody alongside co-defendant Anthony Kelly, 25, of Chalk Farm, north London, until November 23 ahead of another court appearance.

The star's husband was arrested Thursday during a police operation which also saw officers search the house he and Winehouse share in Camden, north London.

He and Kelly were among five men held on suspicion of trying to pervert the course of justice over a case in which he and another man, 39-year-old Michael Brown, are charged with causing grievous bodily harm to a barman in June.

Two others aged 22 and 19 have been released on bail pending further inquiries, while a 36-year-old man remains in custody, London's Metropolitan Police said.

A judge at Snaresbrook Crown Court in east London is expected to decide Monday whether the assault trial can still go ahead.

Fielder-Civil's mother, Georgette Civil, told the Sun newspaper that Winehouse, who her spokesman said was not arrested or charged, was "totally distraught", adding: "Amy has told me she'll stand by Blake whatever happens."