Sixties pop star Vince Hill wrote an emotional appeal to magistrates begging them to be lenient on his drug addict son, writes Nick Evans.

Athol Hill, 28, a former Oxford Brookes University student, appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court yesterday after attacking his ex-girlfriend.

In a letter read to the court, the singer explained how his son had gone off the rails after years of drug abuse. He explained that the whole family was behind Athol and was supporting him in his bid to kick heroin.

Athol Hill pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to criminal damage and actual bodily harm. Magistrates deferred sentence until June 13. The court heard Hill had hurled a wine bottle at the face of his ex-girlfriend, Maryann Green, during a violent rage in January, hitting her on the left eye.

The row had erupted over an unpaid taxi fare Hill had taken with friends on the way to a dinner party.

Cathy Oliver, prosecuting, said Hill then picked up another bottle and threw it through the kitchen window before police were called and arrested him.

Hill, of Shiplake, near Henley, told the court: "I am very sorry for what's happened. I know I need serious treatment for my problem."

Story date: Wednesday 09 February

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