SCARY Spice's sister Danielle Brown told of her horror after Jimmy Gulzar attacked her in front of his 18-month-old daughter Phoenix Chi, a court heard.

Miss Brown, who lives at the Manor House in Little Marlow with her popstar sister, told Highbury Corner Magistrates Court she was abused and grabbed round the neck by Mel B's estranged husband.

The incident happened on August 6 outside the Hampstead home of Gulzar when Miss Brown had gone to collect the couple's daughter, then 18 months. Musician Gulzar denies assault.

Miss Brown, then 19 and an ex-Emmerdale actress, told the court on Wednesday: "He put Phoenix down by his left side on the floor and the bags on the right side. He grabbed me by my throat."

She added: "The force lifted me against the wall. My feet were off the floor. I couldn't move apart from moving my head from side to side. To be honest I just went weak. I was just screaming, crying."

The court then heard how Dutch-born Gulzar spat in Miss Brown's face.

She said she kicked out at his stomach forcing him back.

Gulzar claims he was upset after Miss Brown turned up late and when she claimed to have been stuck in traffic he accused her of lying. He says she became angry at this and he was forced to restrain her. He denies spitting on her.

Miss Brown fled the scene in a car with a friend. She told the court her neck was red and bruised, her bottom was bruised and she 'ached everywhere'.

District Judge Ian Baker adjourned the hearing until February 2 for his decision over whether Gulzar is guilty or not.