THE MAN accused of assaulting Scottish singer Michelle McManus with a guitar case claims he was defending himself, a court heard.

Derek McArthur, 43, allegedly hit the former Pop Idol star and TV presenter with the music case at the Linen Bar on Pollokshaws Road, on January 22, last year.

Papers from the court claim he assaulted 38-year-old and "did strike her on the head with a guitar case or similar implement, to her injury”.

McArthur from Shawlands, denies the charge and was due to go on trial today at Glasgow's Justice of the Peace Court.

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Defence lawyer Andy Aitken said the defence position is one self defence and McArthur claims he was attacked by another person, and “he lifted is bag in self defence which struck the complainer to the face”.

He also said a crucial defence witness had not been cited by the Crown and made a defence motion to adjourn.

Sheriff Barry Divers granted the motion and adjourned the trial until March next year.

Michelle rose to fame in 2003 when she was crowned the winner of Pop Idol.

She is a newspaper columnist and joined the Loose Women panel as a guest panelist this year.

She married Jeff Nimmo in Mallaig, Lochaber, last September, after a two year romance.

The newly weds celebrated in style for a second time in January this year in her home city of Glasgow.