Princess Diana's niece appears in court

Britain's Princess Diana's 18-year-old niece appeared in court yesterday (01.02.11) after allegedly attacking a man on crutches.

Lady Amelia Spencer - daughter of the late royal's brother Earl Spencer and his ex-wife Victoria Lockwood - was accused of "flicking a cigarette butt into a taxi" after a night out last December before "swearing, smacking and kicking" the vehicle's passenger, Ricci Cinti, according to the Daily Mail.

Amelia - who arrived at the court in Cape Town with her mother - had been clubbing in South Africa with her sister and stopped for a burger at McDonalds when she allegedly flipped after the man's taxi cut up her Mini.

Ricci - who was on crutches at the time of the alleged incident because of a football injury - claimed Amelia yelled at him then hit him at the Cape Town drive-in.

Amelia's lawyer told magistrates she should never have been charged with assault although he admitted her tone was aggressive.

He added she had suffered "serious emotional trauma" over the incident adding: "She has just finished exams and does not deserve this".

Amelia - who will one day inherit a share of her father's £100million fortune - has denied assault and the case was adjourned.