A former member of the group Massive Attack was today jailed for 18 months after drunkenly beating up a man he claimed owed him £20.
Claude Williams, previously a vocalist with the successful Bristol-based dance act, attacked John Hamer as he lay in bed in a bail hostel in Cardiff, south Wales.
Counsel for the defence told Cardiff Crown Court Williams joined Massive Attack when it first formed and that he was responsible for hits such as Unfinished Sympathyand Protection.
He left the band in 1998 and went on to be a bassist for the solo artist Tricky but later "lost the plot", the court heard. The court was also told how Williams's actions were "out of character", but that there had been ill-feeling between the pair after Williams alleged that Mr Hamer owed him £20.
Mr Lee Ingham, prosecuting, said 41-year-old Williams had been staying at the Mandeville House bail hostel in Cardiff in February last year. While drunk, he broke into Mr Hamer's room attacked and his fellow resident, Mr Ingham said.
Williams pleaded guilty today to one count of wounding. He has no previous convictions for violence.
PA