Dizzee Rascal’s ex-fiancée Cassandra Jones says ‘wealth and status’ should not be used to silence women

Dizzee Rascal’s former fiancée has said “wealth and status” should not be used to silence women after the musician was convicted of assaulting her.

The grime artist, whose real name is Dylan Kwabena Mills, attacked Cassandra Jones during an argument at a property in Streatham, south London, last June.

The district judge at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court heard how Mills, 37, “pressed his forehead against” his former fiancée’s and “pushed her to the ground” during a “chaotic” argument.

Ms Jones, the mother of Mills’ two children, said the verdict brought “no joy” but it does “help me to look back on what I experienced and have it recognised by the court as assault.

“This verdict shows that wealth and status cannot be used to silence women. One in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime. I hope I can move on with my life.”

The court heard how Ms Jones and Mills were together for nine years before they split up in February 2021.

Ms Jones said: “Dylan and I were together for a long time and I loved him very much. He is the father of our two children. Last year I finally left him for good, after experiencing what I now recognise to be prolonged domestic abuse.

“None of this has been easy. I understand why so many women drop out of the criminal justice system; this has been really traumatic for me. But I am lucky to have had support from the police, my family and friends, and specialist organisations.”

The court was told Mills assaulted Ms Jones after becoming “frustrated” over custody arrangements when he returned their daughter to the property.

The judge heard how Mills “barged” into the home and banged his head on a fridge three times while holding his son. He then started “screaming and shouting” at Ms Jones and her mother, Dawn Kirk.

After a “scuffle” over a phone, Mills “pushed Ms Jones to the ground and she landed on her elbows”, the court heard.

Delivering her verdict, District Judge Polly Gledhill said: “I am satisfied so that I am sure that on returning home with the child late, [he] lost his temper in an argument over child contact and finances.”

Ms Jones said she has been receiving “support from specialist domestic abuse services… and that has helped me process my experiences and move forward”.

She implored anyone affected by domestic violence to contact the national domestic abuse helpline.

Mills, who smashed a press photographer’s camera outside court following his conviction, had denied the charge. He will be sentenced on 8 April.