February 5, 2001 15:59: THE ex-husband of Spice Girl Mel B was fined £400 and ordered to pay a further £600 in compensation and costs after an assault on the pop singer's younger sister.

Jimmy Gulzar, 33, had been accused of spitting in the face of Danielle Brown, of the Manor House, Little Marlow, and grabbing her round the neck when she went to collect the couple's daughter Phoenix Chi.

District Judge Ian Baker sitting at Highbury Magistrates Court on Friday, found Gulzar, of Greenaway Gardens, Hampstead, guilty of assault on August 6, last year.

Ex-Emmerdale actress, Danielle, 19, who lives at her sister's mansion in Little Marlow, had claimed compensation of £7,500.

She said she had been doing promotion work for Kiss FM which normally paid her £300 a week, but since the assault had been scared to turn up for work in case Gulzar arrived on set.

Mr Baker said that he would not "dignify" that claim. Instead he awarded £400 in compensation in addition to the fine and £200 prosecution costs.

Gulzar's counsel Mark Tomassi said that the assault had taken place because his client was unhappy about the long term care of his daughter. "He let anger get the better of him," he said.

He added: "He was not entitled to use the amount of force he did. The injuries to Miss Brown included bruising and red marks around the neck and on her buttocks.

Mr Tomassi added Gulzar had no previous convictions. He had denied the charge.

Mr Baker said he believed that he had to impose a substantial fine because Gulzar was a man of 'some wealth.'