Rod Stewart assault case unlikely to go to trial

Sir Rod Stewart’s assault case in Florida is unlikely to go to trial, a US court has heard.

The 75-year-old chart-topping rocker and his son Sean, 40, have been charged with simple battery following an alleged incident involving security guard Jesse Dixon at a luxury hotel in Palm Beach on New Year’s Eve.

Both men have pleaded not guilty.

Guy Fronstin, representing both Sir Rod and his son, told a brief hearing on Friday that he has been in touch with prosecutors and the case is likely to be resolved before it reaches the trial stage.

He said: “We have been in communication with the state. We are asking for one more rollover for pre-trial.

“All indications are this is going to resolve without a trial but there’s still some work to be done on it.”

Judge August Bonavita, who was wearing a mask, set the next pre-trial hearing for December 4. Neither Sir Rod nor his son were involved in the hearing, held over Zoom.

A previous hearing was told that the defence team is trying to locate a video in relation to the case.

The singer and his son were charged following an alleged altercation with a guard at the Breakers Palm Beach Hotel on New Year’s Eve.

Mr Dixon alleges Sir Rod and Sean were part of a group that objected to being denied entry to a private party in a children’s area.

Sean is alleged to have got “nose to nose” with Mr Dixon, while Sir Rod is accused of punching him in the ribs.

Sir Rod has been married to model Penny Lancaster, 49, since 2007.