WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (AP) – A Florida judge has canceled the trial for rock icon Rod Stewart and his adult son and is scheduled for a hearing next month to discuss a settlement agreement charges stemming from a New Year’s Eve altercation with a security guard hotel nearly two years ago.
Judicial records show that the hearing with Judge August Bonavita is scheduled for Oct. 22 regarding a judicial declaration agreement to close the case without them having to appear in court. The trial was scheduled to begin on Tuesday, but was canceled on Thursday.
If convicted, the Stewarts would face up to a year in prison, parole and a $ 1,000 fine. The terms of the agreement are still unclear and attorney Guy Fronstin did not respond to any emails or phone calls asking for comments.
Stewarts’ battery charges have taken a long time to resolve due to pandemic and settlement negotiations.
The London-based singer of hits from the 70s as “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Maggie May” is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2016.
Stewart and his son are accused of pushing and pushing security guard Jessie Dixon into the luxurious The Breakers Hotel on December 31, 2019, because she would not let them enter a New Year’s Eve party.
Dixon told Palm Beach police officers that Stewart’s group was at the registration table of a private party they were not allowed to attend, according to a police report.
Dixon said the group grew strong and began to provoke a scene. Dixon, 33, told investigators he put his hand on young Stewart’s chest and told him to back up and make room.
That’s when rock star Sean Stewart, the son, had a “nose to nose” with Dixon.
Sean Stewart, now 41, pushed Dixon back. Rod Stewart, now 76, punched Dixon in his “left rib cage area” with his fist clenched, prosecutors allege.
Sean Stewart told investigators he was agitated when they were unable to attend the event “because of Dixon’s interaction with him and his family.”
Two Breakers employees working the private event told police they saw Sean Stewart pushing Dixon and Rod Stewart punch the guard.
The arrest officer said he saw security footage at the hotel and determined the Stewarts were the “main assailants.”