View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Tulisa denies ‘being concerned’ with supplying cocaine worth £860 to undercover Sun team

By Darren Boyle

Former X-Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos has denied being concerned with supplying £860 of drugs to Sun journalist Mazher Mahmood.

The 25 year-old N-Dubz star of Friern Barnet, north London is accused of setting up the deal at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

She is accused of offering "concerned with the supply of 13.9 grams of cocaine" to the reporter who is sometimes known as the fake sheikh on a date between 20-24 May, 2013.

She appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court alongside rapper Mike GLC, also known as Michael Coombs, 35, of Velocity Way, Enfield, north London.

He also denied a charge of supplying the drug.

Contostavlos, who wore tight black trousers, a black top and black jacket, was forced to disclose her address to the court after her solicitor applied for it to be withheld to prevent "unwanted visitors".

But Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle ruled "the address must be given" after considering the application with representations from prosecutor Emma Scheer and the Press Association.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

The singer then told the court: "Just to let you know, after it being read out, in the next month or so I might have to move to a new address."

Coombs, who wore a blue jumper and black jeans, is accused of supplying the drug on 23 May.

The pair will next appear at Southwark Crown Court in central London on January 14.

Contostavlos, who was represented by Ross Dixon, allegedly set up the deal after telling Mahmood she could help provide him with "white sweets", which the court heard was a code for cocaine.

She is accused of playing a "significant role" putting the fake sheikh in touch with Coombs before the pair met at the upmarket Dorchester Hotel in central London.

The Sun on Sunday recorded the meeting in which Coombs is said to have handed over half an ounce of cocaine for £860.

Contostavlos, who had blonde ringlets and looked tanned for the hearing, was initially arrested in connection with the incident with Coombs on 4 June.

She was officially dropped as a judge on X Factor days before her arrest, with Sharon Osbourne returning to the show in her place.

The pair were given unconditional bail.

Topics in this article : , , ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network