Former N-Dubz singer Dappy has been ordered to pay more than £1,800 after being found guilty of slapping a man during a celebrity appearance at an Essex nightclub.

The 27-year-old, who appeared under his real name Dino Costas Contostavlos, struck George Chittock with an open palm in the early hours of February 27.

He denied assault by beating claiming self defence but was found guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court. At the time of the offence he was under a six months suspended sentence and will be dealt with in relation to breaching this at a later date.

Contostavlos of of Fairfolds, Woodcock Hill, Sandridge, who sat with his head in his hands after being found guilty, was ordered to pay £80 victim surcharge but no compensation was awarded to Mr Chittock.

He was also fined £800 for assault and ordered to pay £930 costs.

Prosecutor Jacqueline Carey told the court the incident happened after Contostavlos carried out a "meet and greet" at Chicago's in Chelmsford, Essex.

Dappy was in a smoking area along with his minder and two of the club's own doorstaff at about 2am when he was seen to slap Mr Chittock, she said.

Ms Carey said: "When the defendant lashed out, he was not under any threat or any perceived threat of violence.

"The CCTV suggests he had no genuine and honest belief that he needed to use force to defend himself."

She said Contostavlos claimed Mr Chittock had been abusive towards him earlier in the night and repeated this in the smoking area.

Dappy told the court: "I was scared. I thought he was going to lash out at me."

His six month suspended sentence had been imposed at Guildford Crown Court for an attack with others on a man on the ground but he is unlikely to go to jail for the breach.